Shawn Gervais, Kelly Ranches, LIC Red Deer River tour, AB (Photo by NCC)

Shawn Gervais

Shawn Gervais grew up in a small mining community in Northern Ontario, where the wilderness was in his backyard. He used to take his dog out for its daily walk and depending on the season, would feast on fresh wild strawberries and blueberries. Even now, he says, nothing in the grocery store compares to those little delights.

Although he's moved across the country, Shawn still takes the time to hike in the mountains, by lakes and rivers, in the badlands...anywhere really.

"If you settle down and relax," says Shawn, "every place has a special energy and spirit. It nourishes us in more ways that we truly realize. As a result, each of us has a duty to be a good steward of the land. That will mean different things for different people but in all cases we have a responsibility to act, just like we do when we take care of our families, maintain our homes and support our communities.

"So, one of the ways I act is to support the Nature Conservancy of Canada. If we are going to protect the birds, plants and animals that enrich our lives on our lands, we have to protect physical space. I like the fact that NCC engages private landowners in the act of stewardship. The fact that I am not a large landowner doesn't mean I can't participate. What I can do is help finance it. So, I started with a small monthly donation and just grew it. At one point it became big enough to become part of the Leaders in Conservation (LIC) program. I like this program because values need examples. The commitment from members of the LIC help enable land stewardship to become a living community value."