The second annual Legacy Land Trust Society's friendraiser surpassed last year's inaugural event.
About $3,800 was raised, up from roughly $2,000 last year, said Kim Good, the society's executive director.
“We are super excited about it,” Good said.
However, raising funds is not the only focus of the event. Since part of the organization's mandate is education and outreach regarding land conservation and stewardship, another priority is to raise awareness about the organization and its goals as well as taking the opportunity to get out and enjoy a nature walk, she said.
This year's event was held on June 4 at the Eagle Hill Memorial Community Centre. From there, a couple of buses drove about three dozen people to a nearby property that is one of the society's conservation sites, she said.
Along for the ride were four guests: keynote speaker Lorne Fitch, a retired Fish and Wildlife biologist who led a riparian walk along a creek; Don James, a retired biologist who led a raptor walk and discussed hawks, eagles as well as owls and the types of habitats those birds of prey require; Laura Blonski, a range management specialist from Alberta Environment and Parks, who talked about sustainable grazing practices and pasture health; and Ron Reist, who led a bluebird walk.
“The people on his walk got really lucky,” she said.
The nature enthusiasts were fortunate enough to find patient parent birds that allowed the group to band baby bluebirds for future tracking and research that will provide information that will help to better understand the animals' population and migratory patterns, she said.
“The photographers in the crowd were super excited,” she said.
Pleasant weather also contributed to an overall successful day of nature watching.
“It was a beautiful day, very sunny,” she said.
Upon returning to the hall following the walks, the group found several dozen more people had arrived in the meantime for the silent auction and supper, which was prepared using local beef and locally donated groceries, she said.
A couple of speakers from the Cremona 4-H Club also discussed the issue of finding ways to feed the increasing global population, which included a suggestion to support local farms as much as possible.
Another guest speaker, Dennis McKernen, a Mountain View County resident, outlined the value of local land trust societies, she said.
“He helped his wife's family put a conservation easement on their land in Ontario,” she said, adding that McKernen also helped another group on the West Coast secure some oceanfront property.
The evening wrapped up with keynote speaker Fitch, who grew up around Innisfail. He underlined the importance of looking back at history to make decisions going forward regarding responsible land use and stewardship, she said.
“Every time there's a major change, that becomes the new norm. So it's good to look back at previous norms,” she said.
All those who attended seemed to enjoy themselves and organizers heard plenty of positive comments. Good also said many participants told her they learned a lot.
“People just loved it. It was a nice evening — great weather, good company,” she said.
The Legacy Land Trust Society was formed last summer with the intention to help private landowners in and around Mountain View County and its communities to conserve land. Visit legacylandtrustsociety.ca or call 403-556-1029 for more information.
"The photographers in the crowd were super excited."Kim Good
