Twenty years apart, a mother and son protect more than 75 hectares of natural habitat
Venise-en-Québec, Quebec (December 16, 2025) — In Montérégie, nearly 16 hectares of the Venise-Ouest peatland have recently been added to an existing Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) protected area. Thanks to the generous donation of a local citizen, these additional hectares will contribute to protecting more of this natural area, today and for generations to come.
A family’s story
Peter Neville isn’t the first member of his family to get involved in nature conservation. In fact, with this donation, he’s following in his mother’s footsteps: in the early 2000s, Ruth Edna Kerr donated nearly 60 hectares of wetlands to NCC. Because the two parcels of land are adjacent, his donation brings the total number of protected hectares to nearly 75, equivalent to some 417 hockey rinks.
“Protecting and appreciating [nature] is very important in today’s world,” said Neville.
A biodiverse habitat
The reserve consists primarily of wetlands and forests. Around the edges of the ponds, inhabited by various frog and salamander species, are several shagbark hickory trees — an unusual sight in the region. The fact that this tree species, which is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec, grows here so abundantly, is yet further proof that this is an exceptional ecosystem. This carbon-rich habitat plays a vital ecological role while supporting remarkable biodiversity.
The Tourbière-de-Venise-Ouest Nature Reserve, created in part thanks to Kerr’s generous donation, will benefit some 170 bird species, including such protected species as eastern wood pewee (a species of special concern in Canada) and least bittern (a vulnerable species in Quebec). Part of the land donated by Neville will also likely benefit local grassland birds, including several threatened species in Quebec, such as bobolink and eastern meadowlark.
Expansion of the Tourbière-de-Venise-Ouest Nature Reserve
The wetlands of the Venise-Ouest peatland provide important ecosystem services to the local community. For example, the wetland filters the water that passes through it, thereby improving the water quality of Missisquoi Bay. In addition to this, it plays a key role in climate regulation by storing carbon in their soils and vegetation. The peatland also lessens the effects of Lake Champlain’s seasonal flooding, acting as a sponge that initially absorbs the overflow and then gradually releases it. The additional protected hectares help ensure that these ecosystem services are maintained.
Acknowledgements
The Nature Conservancy of Canada wishes to thank Peter Neville for his ecological gift.
NCC also wishes to acknowledge the financial support it received from the Government of Canada, through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), from an anonymous foundation and from the Government of Quebec through the Accélérer la conservation dans le sud du Québec (ACSQ) project.
Quotes
“NCC is grateful to Peter Neville for his generous donation, which continues the important work of protecting the Venise-Ouest peatland, which began in 2003. This family is an inspiration to us all.” — Stéphanie Leduc, Project Coordinator, Nature Conservancy of Canada
“As we celebrate 30 years of the Ecological Gifts Program, the Government of Canada is proud to support the expansion of the Tourbière-de-Venise-Ouest Nature Reserve. With the Nature Conservancy of Canada and other partners, we are helping protect species at risk and wetlands that improve water quality to reduce seasonal flooding and mitigate climate change. Thanks to the generosity of donor Peter Neville, this unique peatland will remain protected for generations to come.” — The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Protecting nature means safeguarding the wetlands, forests, and other habitats that provide essential ecosystem services, such as clean water and flood control. In partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Government of Canada is proud to help expand the Tourbière-de-Venise-Ouest Nature Reserve. Thanks to Peter Neville’s generous land donation, this natural area will continue to thrive for generations to come.” — The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)
“Quebec’s natural spaces and biodiversity are a priceless asset, and it’s up to all of us to get involved in protecting them. I applaud Peter Neville’s inspiring gesture, which will help preserve a significant part of the Venise-Ouest peatland. Protecting and restoring our natural spaces, especially those which are privately owned, is a major factor in expanding protected areas, and helps us reach our goal of conserving 30 per cent of our land and water by 2030.” — Audrey Bogemans, MNA for Iberville, on behalf of Bernard Drainville, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
About
Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has brought people together to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. As an environmental charity working hand in hand with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses, we deliver nature-based solutions at a scale no one else can. Our conservation work safeguards clean air and water, stores carbon and reduces the risks of floods and wildfires — protecting our health, strengthening local economies and building more resilient communities. Together, we unlock nature’s power, so life can thrive. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca.
Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands, in order to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF will focus on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being.
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.
The Accélérer la conservation dans le sud du Québec (ACSQ) project is a co-funding agreement between the gouvernement du Québec and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), benefiting Quebec conservation organizations. The project aims to protect and conserve natural habitats of ecological interest, notably through the acquisition of private land, for protected and conserved areas and the establishment of ecological corridors. Through this, the ACSQ will promote the development and sound management of the network of protected areas on private land, as well as public access to nature. The funds invested by the gouvernement du Québec over five years must be matched by NCC and its partners with other funds not provided by the gouvernement du Québec.
Contact
Gabrielle Goyette
Coordinator, Marketing and Communications
Nature Conservancy of Canada – Québec
C: 514 461-4154
gabrielle.goyette@conservationdelanature.ca