Inspiring, heart-felt gift of nature protects endangered ecosystem
Lethbridge, AB (October 21, 2025) – The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is pleased to announce a newly conserved grasslands site along the Oldman River, thanks to a substantial land donation from Diane Glover. This land, which has been in Glover’s family for three generations, will be conserved forever while continuing to be a working landscape contributing to economic livelihoods in the area.
A family’s gift to Alberta
For Diane Glover, this donation is deeply personal. It honours the memory of her parents, siblings, and grandparents, who instilled a deep respect for the land, its beauty and its history. The property has long been a place of grazing, roundups, wildlife encounters, camping, stargazing and family gatherings along the river. Over the years, her family agreed the land should never be sold or developed but instead conserved for future generations.
Conserving rare remaining grasslands
This 507-hectare (1,253-acre) property in Lethbridge County is one of the largest remaining contiguous tracts of intact Prairie grasslands in the area. Native grasslands filter water, store carbon and provide vital habitat for wildlife, including dozens of at-risk species. Yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Every hour, another seven hectares of Prairie grassland is lost.
With less than 20% of Canada’s original Prairie grasslands remaining, species that depend on these landscapes are vanishing. According to the 2024 State of Canada’s Birds Report, grassland bird populations have declined by 67% since 1970 — the largest drop of any bird group in Canada.
The conservation of this property will help maintain habitat for at-risk species in Canada such as American badger (special concern), common nighthawk (special concern), ferruginous hawk (threatened), long-billed curlew (special concern), northern leopard frog (special concern), and prairie rattlesnake (special concern). Additional species of conservation concern in Alberta documented on the property include American white pelican, eastern kingbird, wandering garter snake and western wood-pewee.
Protecting riverfront keeps watersheds healthy
Situated along the Oldman River, the property also features important riverfront habitats (riparian areas), including cottonwood forests. These zones act as natural sponges, filter runoff and stabilize streambanks, thereby improving water quality. They also provide habitat for a wide range of wildlife, from fish and amphibians to birds and large mammals.
According to the Miistakis Institute, 60% of the riparian areas in the Oldman watershed are privately owned, yet only less than 8% of that has been conserved. This project strengthens watershed health by ensuring long-term conservation of riparian ecosystems on the Oldman River.
Cattle, conservation, and grasslands
The property will continue to be sustainably grazed. Grazing is a vital tool for maintaining grassland health. Historically, bison shaped these ecosystems, and today, well-managed cattle grazing helps create the variety of habitat heights needed by different plant and animal species. Because grazing will continue on this land, public access will not be permitted.
Part of a national effort
NCC extends its gratitude to Diane Glover and other supporters of this vital conservation effort. Contributions were also made by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (part of Canada’s Nature Fund).
This project was supported by the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, which provides significant tax benefits for individuals or corporations who donate ecologically sensitive land.
This project is a key part of NCC’s Prairie Grasslands Action Plan, a $500-million initiative to conserve 500,000 hectares of Prairie grasslands by 2030. With nearly 60,000 hectares of grasslands disappearing every year, urgent action is needed. Without conservation efforts like this, another 500,000 hectares could be lost by the end of the decade.
Quotes
“These unique lands existed long before we did, and we were taught that our ownership of it is an honour and is temporary. We consider ourselves caretakers of the property during our time here. Everybody who has become familiar with the property looks at it the same way we do: it’s special, unique and worth preserving, which is why I chose to entrust it with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.” – Diane Glover, land donor
“This project is about more than one piece of land. It represents the dedication of landowners like Diane Glover and a growing movement to conserve some of the last remaining Prairie grasslands before they are lost forever. Thanks to this donation, this landscape, and all the species that depend on it will be conserved for generations to come.” – Tom Lynch-Staunton, Regional Vice President, Nature Conservancy of Canada
“Through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is proud to support the protection of ecologically significant areas across the country, safeguarding habitats for species at risk and preserving landscapes that support sustainable uses, such as grazing. Conservation is a shared effort — by working with partners like the Nature Conservancy of Canada and generous donors like Diane Glover, who contributed her land through the Ecological Gifts Program, we’re building a more resilient future for nature and communities. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Ecological Gifts Program, we celebrate the legacy of Canadians who have chosen to protect the lands they love for generations to come.” – The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Canada’s natural spaces are vital to our identity and well-being. Through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program and the Ecological Gifts Program — the latter now marking 30 years — we’re protecting the lands and wildlife that make this country extraordinary. Thanks to donors like Diane Glover, nature will continue to thrive for generations.” – The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)
About
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community, leading to the protection and conservation of over 830,000 hectares (2 million acres) of ecologically sensitive lands.
Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity.
To learn more about the Ecological Gifts Program, visit: https://www.canada.ca/ecological-gifts.
Contact
Sean Feagan – Media and Communications Coordinator, Alberta Region
Nature Conservancy of Canada
sean.feagan@natureconservancy.ca
587-707-6045