If you are stressed about any last-minute holiday shopping, the Nature Conservancy of Canada says it has a unique idea that is sure to please that special someone in your life.
Back for its 29th year, the NCC’s green gifts program allows people to symbolically adopt a natural landscape or wildlife in Canada.
Some of the species that can be symbolically adopted include the monarch butterfly, swift fox, wolf, snowy owl, Canada lynx, river otter, Atlantic puffin, Blanding’s turtle, grizzly bear and polar bear. Canadians can also support the conservation of landscapes in regions like the Prairies and Parklands, Boreal Forest, Great Lakes, East Coast, Gaspé Peninsula and Appalachian Mountains, Canadian Rockies, B.C. Interior and West Coast.
The funds raised through the program help with the NCC’s efforts to conserve lands across Canada that are home to many at-risk species.
Since the green gift initiative started, over $3 million has been raised.
“Green gifts are ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts,” says NCC spokesperson Andrew Holland. “They’re also perfect for those on your list who live far away, seem to have everything or are difficult to shop for.”
“This is an opportunity to give a gift that’s unique, memorable and impactful. We encourage people to consider a gift that protects nature so it can continue to do what it does best: care for us all and make all life on Earth possible. It is a great opportunity to support conservation close to home,” Holland adds.
Paperless gift options include a digital certificate, a digital landscape or species booklet and an informational video. Charitable tax receipts are also issued for all purchases through the program.
The NCC notes that the country has 875 species that are in various at-risk categories. Additionally, the conservancy says Canada has lost more than 80 per cent of its original native Prairie grasslands, 70 per cent of Prairie wetlands, 80 per cent of Carolinian forest and over 80 per cent of wetlands in and around urban areas.
More on the green gifts program is available at the NCC website.
