For Mike and Martha Pedersen, conservation represents more than just a charitable cause – it embodies their lifelong connection to Canada's wild spaces. This deep-rooted appreciation for nature has inspired them to support the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) through various means, including a significant gift in their wills designed to protect the country's ecological treasures for future generations.
A Lifetime Bond With Canadian Wilderness
Nature has fundamentally shaped the Pedersens' personal story and family life. Over decades, they have immersed themselves in Canada's diverse landscapes through numerous canoe expeditions and hiking adventures, frequently bringing their three children along from infancy. These shared wilderness experiences have strengthened their bond with Canada's natural heritage and deepened their commitment to preserving the places they cherish.
Mike's relationship with Canadian nature began when he relocated from Denmark to Canada at age twelve. His first introduction to his new country came through a coffee-table book filled with breathtaking images of wild landscapes and iconic wildlife, which captured his imagination immediately. Within months of arriving in 1973, Mike was already exploring British Columbia's Coastal Mountains, where he encountered his first wild bear and caught his initial salmon. That early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for Canada's remarkable biodiversity.
Martha developed her connection to nature while growing up in Ontario, where she spent every summer either at the family cottage or attending nearby summer camps. Those extended periods immersed in natural surroundings instilled a profound appreciation for outdoor life. Later, an Outward Bound canoe expedition solidified her love for wilderness adventures, serving as a pivotal moment that confirmed how essential nature was to her happiness and life philosophy.
Transforming Passion Into Permanent Protection
The couple's shared dedication to Canada's landscapes naturally guided them to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Mike and Martha take pride in supporting NCC's mission to protect and maintain the country's most ecologically significant areas. They view their involvement as a meaningful way to give back to the land that has provided them with so much joy and fulfillment.
Beyond their financial contributions, Mike actively contributes his time and leadership expertise as a member of NCC's board of directors, helping shape national conservation priorities and strategies. This hands-on involvement allows him to directly influence how Canada protects its most vulnerable natural habitats.
Creating An Enduring Environmental Legacy
The Pedersens have taken their commitment a crucial step further by including a substantial gift to NCC in their estate plans. This decision reflects their determination to ensure that Canada's natural wonders receive permanent protection for generations yet to come. By incorporating NCC into their wills, they join a growing movement of Canadians using estate planning to create lasting environmental impact.
"When we give to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the impact we create is permanent; important lands and habitats for species at risk are conserved," Mike emphasizes, highlighting the enduring nature of their contribution.
Martha adds perspective to their decision: "It isn't often that donors can create impact that lasts forever, and conservation feels like a very tangible way to make a difference. We hope that by sharing our story, others will reflect on their own relationship with nature and consider how they can help protect it."
The Pedersens aspire to inspire others to contemplate the environmental legacy they wish to leave behind. They firmly believe that through supporting conservation efforts, every Canadian possesses the power to help safeguard the nation's landscapes and wildlife – creating protection that truly lasts forever.
