by Robert Pye, Executive Director, Watersheds Canada

Nature art fills my home, a growing collection that started before I even owned four walls to display it. Framed wildlife prints by the talents of Carl Brenders and Michael Dumas, for example, were acquired in my starting-out days of paying rent and student loans. Many years later though, I have property where my taste in art imitates the wildlife that surrounds my country home.

My most cherished work of nature art is a one-of-a-kind piece that sits in my home office – a beautifully hand-carved American woodcock. The impeccable likeness of this spirited upland game bird is the caring work and talent of my dear friend, Mike Reader. Each one of his carvings are hundreds of hours in the making. Mike carefully studies dozens of references before his blade or brush even touch a block of wood.

I had the honour of working with Mike for many years. His professional success in building great conservation partnerships, major fundraising campaigns and record-setting provincial wildlife conferences always came down to his extraordinary attention to details. Now into his retirement years, Mike’s reputation for caring about the fine details, and conservation and the community, are now carved into every project that comes to life in his home-based art studio. One of his latest works of art is a quarter-sized Common Loon that Mike has generously donated to support the future of Watersheds Canada.

Being drawn to nature is why so many Watersheds Canada supporters also have a visual eye for species, like loons, that portray the serenity of lake life. Nature appreciation is a leading personal value according to thousands of waterfront properties owners who have participated in Watersheds Canada programs including Love Your Lake, which is presented in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

The attention to detail found in a Mike Reader carving is matched by our detailed shoreline assessments as well as our planting plans and lake restorations through the Natural Edge Program. We are also meticulous when it comes to creating more fish habitat as well as education and stewardship resources through our Nature Discovery and Planning for our Shorelands programs. We take details seriously when it comes to reporting to our donors and various funding partners about the impact of our freshwater stewardship action.

Watersheds Canada’s successes, as in nature art collections, are all in the details which we want to share with as many people as possible. The more names added to our database, the more people can learn about our work through newsletters and blogs like the one you are reading now.

The loon carving by Mike Reader is a new art addition for the home of our lucky FREE DRAW winner who will be announced at the end of this summer. All of the details about this great opportunity are found right here.

Good luck to everyone in the FREE DRAW!