David and Ann’s Love Story
By Jodi Joy, Legacy Support, Nature Canada
If you had to picture the ultimate outdoor duo, it would be David and Ann Love. We’re not just talking about your everyday hikers – they’re activists, conservationists, volunteers, and donors. As David likes to say “Nature is part of our enduring values.”
That same love for the great outdoors was front and center when they were putting together their Will.
Here’s David and Ann’s “Love Story” in their own words:
Both our families had been visiting the Happy Valley Forest since 1950, and our parents both bought property here. We met at a skating party on New Year’s Eve 1963 in the corner of the property where we still live today. We’ve been recording birds and other wildlife sightings as volunteers every day since!
Birds make every visit outside the chance for a spark of magic. Ann’s father was a devoted birder, and I remember him joking about ‘pishing in the woods’ to attract birds. It’s a rare day that goes by that we don’t have a pish in the woods.
You asked about urgent priorities for nature conservation? Biodiversity is a big concern for us. We want to see more areas where everything lives and grows, where the whole system thrives. Salamanders, insects, birds… there are declines in so many species. Species abundance is down here, we see the changes on our own property.
We’re concerned about how people bulldoze and place no value on wild, scruffy places. The idea of taking kids out and not being able to turn over a log to find a salamander troubles us. Without nature, our world is dull, grey and predictable.
But there are glimmers of hope. Here in the Happy Valley there are over 750 acres of protected forest, and we’ve got our Red Headed Woodpecker back! Nature shows us that when given a chance, she can and will re-wild.
Humans can get it right and get it better, or we can be a memory. With the collective power of people – Nature Canada – we can do unbelievable things. If there is hope for the world, it’s because more people are adding their voice.
And Nature Canada amplifies this and gives voice to those who don’t have one: bears, wolves, owls, winter wrens, and more. We’ve been members and volunteers for years, and have left a gift in our Will too.
When we put the preservation of nature in our Will, what we are doing is entrusting the people who will protect it.
What made us think to leave a donation in our Will?
As part of writing our Will, we thought about what’s most important to us, our enduring values, and what we can do to pass them along. Our kids and our grandkids are our legacy on the planet. Every day, our family passes on our values.
We can give to organizations that reflect our values too. How much doesn’t matter. The point is you can have your values live on in perpetuity while taking a stand for what matters to you. Nature Canada has been that for us.
By the way, talking to our kids about our Will was not only important, it was inspiring. We should relish the chance to talk to our loved ones about what means most to us. That’s not a moment to fear, it’s a moment to celebrate. Our kids were glad to know about our plans and wishes, and we felt reassured knowing that they knew about our intentions. We’ve come to know that gifts in Wills are a big reason charities can achieve their goals.
One day, in the future, we want someone to open an envelope at Nature Canada and be notified that our gift is now realized. We want them to know that they have this money, right now, to save birds, damselflies, grizzly bears…whatever is most important and urgent at that time.
Learn how leaving a gift in your Will works.
