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Happy Valley Forest, ON (Photo by NCC)

Happy Valley Forest, ON (Photo by NCC)

Vicki and Paul Hotte's home, Happy Valley Forest (Photo by Vicki and Paul Hotte).

Vicki and Paul Hotte's home, Happy Valley Forest (Photo by Vicki and Paul Hotte).

Vicki and Paul Hotte: Leaving a legacy in Happy Valley Forest

NCC: When did first you begin your involvement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada?

VPH: Our involvement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) started in the early 1990s. When we settled here 25 years ago, we were fascinated by the natural areas we discovered while hiking through the beautiful forest and nearby swamp. When some new residents wanted to "treat" the swamp for mosquito control, Vicki researched the swamp and learned it was a Class 1 wetland [the highest designation given to Ontario wetlands]. She became actively involved in its conservation.

We learned the Nature Conservancy of Canada purchased, then transferred, pockets of this wetland to the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority’s stewardship. It is essential to continue conservation efforts in the swamp.

NCC: What motivates you to stay involved? What’s so special about the Happy Valley Forest?

VPH: We appreciate the Happy Valley Forest as a core natural area for native species, allowing nature appreciation within our own community. It is conserved thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and its outreach programs. Residents and visitors love the Happy Valley Forest, but the challenge is getting people to understand the inherent natural connections of this special area.

NCC: What do you tell others about us? How would you describe the Nature Conservancy of Canada to others?

VPH: The Nature Conservancy of Canada is neither radical nor obstructive. As a dedicated organization, it uses the best possible science to determine what significant natural areas must be preserved. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is future-oriented and deserves our support. The organization aims to maintain the health of natural systems, which are crucial to the health of all. NCC embodies and reflects the knowledge, education and connections that nature offers.

NCC: If you could change the world, what would you do?

VPH: We would create wide connected migration corridors to ensure all species can continue their natural and seasonal migration patterns. The Happy Valley Forest represents an example. In recent, a bear and cub have been spotted in the forest, first recognized by the local newspaper on June 5, 2013. We tracked bear footprints along a sandy trail. The black bear was extirpated from this area in 1857, so these new arrivals have rediscovered the acorns and berries of their ancestral forest.

NCC: What would you like to pass on to future generations?

VPH: We want to bequeath a healthier, natural and greener world to future generations of all species. Current and future generations of people need to be aware of what is going on outside their homes and understand the essential interwoven natural connections upon which all life depends.

NCC: How does your philanthropy reflect your values?

VPH: In supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we support nature, which includes people. We are fascinated by nature and enchanted by its magic. Whether observing an Acadian flycatcher, mating spiders or snakes sunning themselves in our naturalized yard, there’s magic in all of it. There is a particular joy in sharing our yard with other animals, birds and invertebrates.  

NCC: If you had a personal mission statement or slogan, what would it say?

VPH: Strive to be aware of the integral connections among all species and living systems, including land, water and air. Everything has its place in nature and is intricately woven into nature’s own balanced tapestry.

NCC: What is your favourite animal?

VPH: Beavers are wonders of nature. They have great family structures and are highly intelligent. Well known for building dams, these creatures assist us by keeping water on the land longer, thereby alleviating both droughts and regional floods, while providing habitat for other creatures.

NCC: If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

VPH: Possibilities include: an eastern white cedar, the "tree of life" offering food and shelter to many species; an oak, home to hundreds of different invertebrate and avian species; or a hemlock, offering shelter for deer in winter.

The question should be what kind of humans do we want to be? We want to be environmentally aware people who understand that we have a place within nature, so we must help to protect and maintain all the essential interlinked natural connections.

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Funding provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada