Time, persistence, effort, patience and then maybe a bit more time and effort, is needed to preserve land for wildlife so that it’s saved forever from humanity.
“Conservation is a long game,” said Michael Nadler, CEO with Ducks Unlimited Canada.
“You have to really be dedicated and committed and almost tireless in the effort.
“These are hard-won achievements, to be honest. We really do have to celebrate the wins, so grateful to be able to do it today,” said Nadler at a surprise event in the middle of the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Nadler was in west Ladner on Westham Island Monday (Sept. 23) to say thanks to a local who’s spent a lifetime saving habitat for our feathered friends.
At a surprise trail side event in the refuge that bears his grandfather’s name, George C. Reifel saw the unveiling of a concrete monument recognizing his contribution.
“Oh wow, I’m overwhelmed,” said Reifel after the monument was revealed.
The plaque overlooks the wetlands and the western edge of Canada’s mainland.
“This is an overwhelming and an incredible honour,” he said. “I really was blindsided by this.You guys pulled it off perfectly. I didn’t get a chance to put my red pen on the words — but they look just fine — thank you very much.”
He thanked his co-workers and family for their contributions.
The bronze plaque notes that Reifel served for 30 years on the national board of Ducks Unlimited Canada. He also served as president for two years and as chairman of the board from 1999 to 2000.
The plaque notes that Reifel guided restoration projects and wetlands conservation across North America.
The sanctuary and the adjacent Alaksen National Wildlife Area, totalling about 650 hectares, were all donated or sold by the Reifel family to the federal government decades ago on condition the land remain for conservation forever. Another similar plaque honours George Henry Reifel for giving the land to the federal government in perpetuity in 1972.
The sanctuary is managed by the B.C. Waterfowl Society for Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“Many of the nine million acres of conservation land we steward across the country are thanks to people like him,” Nadler said.
“It is with great pride that we, as stewards of these lands, stand here along side everyone of you,” said Tswawwassen First Nation Chief Laura Cassidy.
She said that the bird sanctuary is a reminder of the deep connection between our history, the ecosystems TFN is protecting and the future they’re building together. The sanctuary is a symbol of a collective commitment to the earth and wetlands that grace our territory.
“We look forward to continuing to work together to protect and nurture these vital ecosystems for the benefit of all living beings,” Cassidy said.
“Walking out here, you can’t help but feel connected to nature. That connection drives our mission across the country, drives volunteers and staff in every corner of Canada, people that were led by you George, when you were president of our organization,” Nadler said.
It’s rare to have so much conservation near a big city, he added.
