A long-time Roblin, Man., family has donated an expanse of land near Riding Mountain National Park in memory of a loved one as a new conservation area.
The Bob Mickelson Conservation Lands are a 169 hectare (418 acre) area located 12.9 km east, 8.8 km south of Roblin. They are made up of rolling hills, grasslands, forests, wetlands and a lake.
The family of Bob Mickelson and the Nature Conservancy of Canada made a joint announcement Monday, saying the gift allows the lands to be protected in perpetuity.
The area is home to a multitude of wildlife including moose, elk and birds. The land also supports several at-risk species, including the Canada warbler, bobolink and northern leopard frog.
The lands have been used for grazing cattle for the past 30 years and will continue to be used for that purpose, the conservancy said, to “maintain and enhance biodiversity values of many Manitoba’s habitats.”
“Our family felt it was important to provide a lasting memory of Bob and the land he loved,” said Bob’s brother, Jim Mickelson.
Bob Mickelson passed away in May 2016. He was known to spend time riding horses and enjoying the wide range of landscapes on the property. In donating the land to the conservancy, the family has paid tribute to his love for nature and animals and further extends their deep roots in the area.
WATCH: Nature Conservancy of Canada working to preserve precious habitats in Manitoba