The Nature Conservancy of Canada is losing it's long time Regional Vice President for Alberta.

Bob Demulder, is stepping down after 13 years to head into retirement.

Demulder says it's tough to pick one highlight, as he's had a few.

"The conservation of the Waldron Ranch a number of years back. Maybe the creation of the Birch River wild land park with Syncrude, the Provincial Government and the Tallcree First Nation about two or three years ago."

He says he's particularly proud of their work on the Waldron Ranch though.

As it took the work of the NCC and over 70 ranchers southwest of High River to create the largest conservation easement in Canadian history.

Demulder says it hasn't always been smooth sailing, but for the most part they've had an excellent working relationship with successive governments.

"We've had support from broader sets of governments. And that continues right now under this current government who does see some of the conservation of ranch lands as being important to habitat or watershed protection. So they are onside with it and have continued to support us."

He says conservation used to be a dirty word to many farmers and ranchers in the Foothills, but that's changed a lot over the last 50 years.

"You know the way things were done years ago was a lot of advocacy. People telling people what to do. Now, there's a lot of listening going on. What are the interest of the land owners? And how do we make sure we can accommodate their interests, yet achieve durable conservation outcomes?"

Demulder says he's hoping to stick around long enough to see completion of the deal to start creating the Jim Prentice Wildlife Corridor in the Crowsnest Pass.

 

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