To WHC staff, Board members, ECCC staff and partners,
As some of you are aware, I’m leaving Wildlife Habitat Canada after serving as its Executive Director for 11 years. I’m delighted that Jessica Burns, previously our Program Director, has taken over the leadership of WHC effective this month.
Thanks to all of you for making my stay with WHC such an enjoyable part of my career.
Now into my 49th year working in conservation and natural resources management, I am optimistic about the future. The “good old days” working in conservation were not that good! Today’s conservation workers are better trained, science and policy tools are much better, and government and public commitment to conservation in Canada is stronger than ever.
Wildlife Habitat Canada will continue to contribute to conserving nature for Canadians through its mission to conserve wildlife habitat through partnerships and wise conservation investments. A large part of our success is due to the contributions made by migratory bird hunters who purchase a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. Since its inception in 1985, WHC has used these funds to generate $64 million to complete over 1600 conservation projects, and conserve or enhance 1.43 million acres across Canada!
For the past 6 years, WHC has provided grant administration services to the Canadian land trust community, managing funds provided through the federal government’s Land Trust Conservation Fund under the Natural Heritage Conservation Program. In addition to the many conservation land trusts we work with, we are extremely grateful to our partners; Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts, with the excellent support from Environment and Climate Change Canada staff.
I plan to stay active in the conservation community and contribute where I can.
Thanks again, and continue your great work!
All the best,
Cam
