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By Nic Fata | Big West Country

108 acres

Alberta couple makes major donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada near Thorsby

Nov 14, 2024 | 9:51 AM

A Leduc County couple, George and Joni Greenhough, have donated a significant amount of land to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), in honour of George’s late father WJ (Bill) Greenhough who himself was a passionate advocate for wild land preservation.

Officials with the NCC say the 44-hectare property, located near the Genesee Natural Area and the North Saskatchewan River will be named the WJ (Bill) Greenhough Genesee Conservation Area. More precisely, it is located in Leduc County, one kilometre northwest of Genesee Lake and about 35 kilometres northwest of Thorsby.

The landscape features forests and diverse habitats which officials say provides benefits for wildlife and the local community.

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George Greenhough says this donation aims to honour his father’s legacy as a steward of the land.

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“WJ (Bill) Greenhough was an early conservationist. He lived his entire life in the community, and on the land in Genesee. He was a member of the local fish and game association for over 40 years and was an avid hunter,” says George.

“He loved spending time in the woods. He found great pleasure in sharing his stories of the great outdoors. This donation honours his role as a steward of the land and his joy in sharing the wilderness with those who cannot often access it. Our donation to conserve this property in perpetuity would be the right way to honour Bill and his legacy of sharing with others. We trust that with our donation, people will be able to access, experience and appreciate the great outdoors.”

This donation will contribute to the vital conservation work already underway in the province and once a management plan is in place, the property will join several NCC sites that offer public access for hiking and nature enjoyment.

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Tom Lynch-Staunton, Alberta vice president with the NCC, says this donation provides an opportunity for even more people to enjoy the benefits of nature.

“We’re truly grateful for this incredible gift from the Greenhough family and their dedication to conservation,” says Lynch-Staunton. “Their donation will not only protect important habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife but also give Albertans a chance to connect with nature. It’s a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations.”

The project was supported by the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program which provides tax benefits for individuals who donate ecologically sensitive land.