by Robert Pye, Executive Director

Gather around kids. This Gen X’er wants to tell you about the days when Canadians opened up their wallets to spot special birds. Four decades ago, the Bank of Canada introduced its birds of Canada series that featured snowy owls on our $50 dollar bills, loons on $20’s, and ospreys on $10’s. Who else remembers robins on $2’s before the burgundy bill was cashed in for the pocket heavy toonie we have today? 

It was the third smallest denomination that delivered the highest value in terms of nature art. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, former Prime Minister, was the face of the five. But on the reverse side, the blue-accented Belted Kingfisher, perched over a pristine watershed, portrayed what Canada well represents – nature. 

Back in 1986, my hard earned nature-themed cash was peddled on my BMX bike. I delivered the daily newspaper, the Orillia Packet & Times, to my neighbors in the Village of Atherley. The Belted Kingfisher immediately reminds me of the colourful currency I collected along my paper route, and in turn, how excited I was to later see the iconic bird in real life during family excursions to local lakes and wetlands.

The Belted Kingfisher’s longtime fame on our legal tender was eventually replaced, but the “King” forever serves a priceless role in representing the importance of conservation and a connection to nature. Right now, Watersheds Canada is proudly highlighting the Belted Kingfisher’s profound environmental status through a special opportunity made possible by Canadian artist, and my dear friend, Mike Reader. 

Mike sharpened up his artistic talents and chiseled out his reputation as an accomplished woodcarver after he retired from a highly successful career in conservation. At 72-years of age, Mike still serves an environmental leadership role as the Chair of Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission. Meanwhile, from his home carving studio, Mike turns blocks of basswood into stunning bird replicas, and has donated every one to community fundraising events and leading conservation and hunting organizations such as Delta Waterfowl.

“I’d like to carve something special to support Watersheds Canada,” Mike said in a thoughtful conversation that led to hours of work diligently studying, carving, painting, and finishing a Common Loon carving last year. That art piece, donated by Mike, helped introduce thousands of people to the work of Watersheds Canada through a free draw. Mike’s generosity to Watersheds Canada did not stop there.

This past winter, Mike donated hundreds of hours of his time again to produce another original work of art. This time, it is a Belted Kingfisher perched around aquatic habitat that speaks to stewardship initiatives of Watersheds Canada. Mike’s new carving has people enthusiastically commenting on the Watersheds Canada website, and chiming in on our social media accounts. People feel compelled to share their personal reflections and fondness of this notable bird, just as I shared mine from the perspective of a former paperboy.

The value of Mike’s carving is estimated at $2,000, but the cost to enter your name for a chance to win it is simply zero. It is a free draw that will take place on September 30, 2024. 

Watersheds Canada is promoting Mike’s carving as a nation-wide reminder that healthy riparian habitat is critical for species like Belted Kingfisher to thrive. We simply wish that our draw will once again result in more great Watersheds Canada supporters, like you. 

I might add that, in presenting this free draw, we are upfront in asking for consent when we add new emails to our organization. A new email address provides great value to Canada’s watersheds, particularly in terms of us communicating our work effectively and efficiently. Your email address is respected: we do not sell it, share it, or over-use it. 

In order to grow our impact, we need to grow our reach.

Beyond donations and volunteer time, online followers and email consents are the new currency that supports hardworking charitable organizations like Watersheds Canada. Speaking of currency, Belted Kingfishers are no longer found on the bills in your wallet, but your chance to see a Belted Kingfisher perched in your home is here – and your contest entry doesn’t cost you a buck. Good luck in our free draw!