photo of Crowther family

Supporter Story: Crowther family

In News by couchiching

This month’s Supporter Spotlight features Richard and Joan Crowther, and their daughter and son, Barbara Crowther and Hugh Crowther.

Growing up in the United States, the love of birding started with mom, Joan. Once the family moved to Washington, coastal birds peaked Richard’s interest and he was hooked. Whether it be camping on Assateague Island off of the Maryland coast, or visiting natural areas like Pelee Island in Ontario, birding became a part of their lives. Birds were so important to Richard and Joan, that when purchasing a new home, they would even stake out nearby birding sites.

After Mom died, Barbara and her husband Ian took Richard to a couple of Nature Conservancy of Canada events, one of which was on the Carden Alvar. Barbara shared, “Dad was quite impressed with what you were doing both philosophically and financially and started learning more about The Couchiching Conservancy”.

When Richard passed away in 2021, he left a legacy gift to the Conservancy as well as donated an iPad that is now used for our Community Science Bat Monitoring efforts. As a way to honour their parents, Barbara and Hugh have made a special donation in their memory. Their gift is helping the Conservancy acquire and protect the Morton Prairie Alvar, a 400-acre parcel on the Carden Alvar. The Conservancy has until August of 2023 to raise the money needed to get this property under permanent protection.

When asked what it means to Barb to make this gift, she said “my husband Ian and I travel a lot, and when we do, we don’t stay in the cities. We go out in search of nature, in search of birds. My parents gave us love of nature. They instilled it in us. Protecting nature is our connection to parents.”

Our thanks to Richard, Joan, Barbara and Hugh. Your love of birds is enduring.

Corridors Campaign

The Couchiching Conservancy is always working to protect and connect nature. By working with interested landowners, we have protected over 14,000-acres of wilderness to date. We have a new opportunity to protect 400-acres on the Carden Alvar and need your help to make it happen!