A Legacy of Nature: McKay Family’s Generous Land Donation to RRCA

In a heartwarming gesture of environmental stewardship, the McKay family has donated 89 acres of land to the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA). This remarkable gift, located near Williamstown in South Glengarry, is a mosaic of old forests, significant wetlands, and a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including several species at risk.

For decades, the McKay family has lovingly cared for this land, fostering a deep connection with its natural beauty. Now, they have entrusted the RRCA with its perpetual preservation. “It is a privilege and an honor for the RRCA to now be entrusted with the perpetual preservation and maintenance of this environmentally significant land,” expressed Bryan McGillis, Chair of the RRCA’s Board of Directors.

This generous donation is more than just a transfer of property; it is a contribution to the broader ecological fabric of the region. The McKay property, along with adjacent publicly owned land, forms a critical part of a Regional Core and Corridor as identified in the 2021 Natural Heritage System for Prescott-Russell and Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. This area plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological services.

South Glengarry Mayor and RRCA Board Member, Lachlan McDonald, expressed gratitude for the McKay family’s foresight. “We thank the McKays for their foresight to ensure the property keeps providing its wide range of ecological services for years to come through this donation to the RRCA,” he said. “We also thank them for their many years stewarding this beautiful land and crucial habitat to a long list of animal and plant species.”

Significantly, this donation marks the first land gift to the RRCA through Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. This program enables Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations by donating land to qualified recipients like the RRCA. This ensures that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved indefinitely.

Don McKay, one of the property donors, reflected on the significance of this donation. “Our family holds so many wonderful memories of time spent connecting with nature on this land, and so it brings us great comfort to know it will now be permanently protected by the RRCA,” he said. “We would certainly encourage other owners of environmentally significant property to consider leaving a natural legacy through a land donation to the RRCA.”

The McKay family, including Kitty Lewis, Rob McKay, and Ian McKay, joins a proud tradition of conservation. The RRCA now manages and protects 1,985 acres of land, enhancing the region’s forest cover, resilience to natural hazards like flooding and erosion, and preserving sensitive habitats while providing recreational and eco-tourism opportunities.

The Ecological Gifts Program, administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada in collaboration with various partners, plays a crucial role in facilitating such generous acts of conservation. For more information, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 ext. 223 or [email protected].

This donation is a testament to the enduring power of nature and the legacy we can all leave behind. Let’s be inspired by the McKay family’s generosity and consider how we too can contribute to the preservation of our natural world.