A family with deep roots and shared values

The Reveler family has deep roots in the Cannamore area, west of Crysler, being amongst the original homesteaders. Born in 1923, Ray Reveler grew up on the property adjacent to Reveler Conservation Area and developed a strong appreciation for the natural heritage of the area. Ray served for many years in the Royal Canadian Air Force but maintained his connection to home. When the property that was to become Reveler Conservation Area came up for sale in 1972, Ray purchased it with the idea of one day letting it go back to nature.

When Ray passed away in 2008, his dream of conserving the land fell into the hands of his heirs, 11 members of his family including nephews and nieces. Fortunately for Ray and the public, the family shared his desire to see the land conserved in perpetuity. They turned to South Nation Conservation (SNC) to help secure the future of the property for its natural heritage values.

Why SNC?

Ian Reveler led the family effort to conserve the land and he saw SNC as a natural partner. “When you are working with 11 family members, you want to know that you are bringing in expertise that will make the process as smooth as possible,” says Ian. “SNC has previous experience with a number of land donations and a wide range of locally based professional staff. The family feels confident that SNC will manage the property to its fullest potential.”

Working with SNC, the Estate of Ray Reveler was able to donate the property through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. The program offers non-refundable tax credits for the donation of ecologically sensitive land, allowing them to offset some of the Estate’s tax burden. Ray would be delighted that SNC will secure his legacy and the property’s natural  treasures.

Photo: Ray Reveler in R.C.A.F. Uniform

In 1980, when George and Hennie Velema obtained their land on Grant Road in the Township of North Stormont, they were instantly captivated by its unique landscape. They sensed a noticeable rise in elevation, setting their wooded land apart from the neighboring farmlands. The property, situated atop of one of the County's highest points, formed a segment of a ridge defining the boundaries between the South Nation and Raisin Rivers' watersheds.

Over the years, the Velema family has expanded their land investments through various acquisitions, while undertaking extensive tree planting endeavors to enhance the overall health and density of the forest. Presently, the fruits of their labor are evident, with many of their wooded properties now nestled between agricultural landscapes.

Upon his retirement as a Forester at Domtar in 2013, George Velema continued his vision with the company to continue to work in conservation and forest management endeavors. George dedicated himself to environmental initiatives, primarily using innovative methods to use biosods to enhance soil richness in agriculture. The outcomes of his endeavors extended widely, ultimately enhancing crop growth rates and boosting corn yields for farmers in the area.

The Velema family's association with SNC dates back to 2003 when they generously donated a 97-acre parcel of land through SNC’s Ecological Gifts Program. Later, collaborating with SNC, they facilitated another donation through the Federal Land Securement Program, which provides tax credits for contributing ecologically sensitive land. Aligned with their conservation objectives, the program proved to be a fitting choice, allowing George and Hennie to solidify their conservation legacy with SNC.

Since 2003, the Velemas continued to donate land to SNC through the Conservation Authority's Land Donation and Ecological Gifts Programs. In 2013, the family donated a 147 acre poplar plantation on which they planted thousands of white pine and white spruce through the 50 million Tree Program.

To date, the Velemas have contributed over 381 acres of land and have made an impact through their passion for conservation and the environment. With the increased clear cutting in the region for agricultural purposes, any property donated or sold to SNC will be managed and protected from development or agricultural practices.

By donating their land to SNC, George and Hennie Velema have created a living legacy in our region, all while fulfilling their life’s passion for forestry and stewardship. Woodlot donations, located in an agriculturally dense landscape seen in North Stormont, are particularly important to preserve. Environmental benefits include preserving wildlife habitat, especially for insect and birds. They provide wind breaks, drought protection and capture carbon, ultimately providing a resilience to climate change.

"Our goal was to secure the hard work we have invested in the property now that we are retired. We are alarmed by the recent intensification of farming practices in this area. Modern agriculture leaves little space for natural areas such as woodlots and hedgerows. We didn't want to see the land cleared for cropping so we turned to South Nation Conservation (SNC) to help secure the natural heritage of the property," said George Velema.

SNC will continue to monitor, manage and protect these donated properties, to ensure they stay in a healthy, natural state, for generations to come.

In the 1970’s, Maurice Chabot purchased some farmland along the South Nation River. The remoteness of the place, the wildlife and the river drew him to the property.

Having completed some studies in forestry, Maurice knew about the importance and value of trees on the landscape. Soon after purchasing the property he decided to plant some trees, red pine on the sandy hillside and white spruce in the low area – an excellent choice! The trees were planted by hand, with some help from friends and family over a two year period.  He remembers all of the hard work, the black flies and even getting his truck stuck in the mud while on an outing to the property to prune some of the young trees. What has resulted from his hard work and dedication is the beautiful stand of red pine and white spruce we see today.

Eventually, Maurice sold the other land he owned, but he kept this piece, “a few years ago, I started wondering what would be best for the land.” He met with The Nation Municipality, who informed him of the South Nation Conservation (SNC) - Land Donation Program. The program offers residents the opportunity to donate their land within the SNC jurisdiction for conservation purposes. Maurice was happy to learn that his property and its forest will be there for future generations to enjoy, “it (the property) has been growing, and this is the most lovely part about trees – you make sure you don’t interrupt their growth and that nobody cuts them and they will be there for generations to enjoy,” he observed.

Maurice looks forward to visiting the property, to see first-hand how his natural legacy is growing and contributing to healthy forests in the region.

After immigrating to Canada from Germany, George and Gertrude Oschmann purchased an 88-acre farm in the fall of 1964 in Ormond, a small rural hamlet located just north of Winchester in the Township of North Dundas.

Nestled within the south side of their new farm was an 18-acre forest severely neglected by the property's previous owners. Aware of the forest’s natural potential, the Oschmanns decided to clean it up, and today it houses a beautiful landscape of carefully thinned maple, hickory, ash and even some butternut trees.

In the 1970s, the Oschmanns decided to tap trees and build a sugar shack in the middle of the forest. The family’s private shack would remain operational until the early 2000s and today the structure still stands.

In 2017, George Oschmann donated the 18-acre forest to South Nation Conservation in memory of his wife Gertrude, who passed away in 2012. According to the Oschmann family, Gertrude was an outdoorsy woman with a deep connection to the Oschmann Forest, and left many footprints scattered across the property over the course of her lifetime.

For George Oschmann, donating the forest wasn’t just about preserving cherished memories, but it was also about preserving the natural beauty of the Oschmann Forest – and all that it has to offer – for generations to come.

In July of 2018, SNC announced that Oschmann Forest will be the new home of their Maple Syrup Education Program.