It’s a simple bronze plaque on a cairn, and it’s how Ducks Unlimited officials felt they could honour one of the single largest conservation easements in Canada.
Alberta oilman and landowner Daryl “Doc” Seaman donated conservation easements on four of his Alberta ranches last year as a way to protect the Alberta range and grasslands.
“He held a strong land ethic and always believed in leaving things better than he found,” said Jim Smith, a family friend and specialist in conservation easements.
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Seaman donated the conservation easements on his properties at Dorothy and Bassano to Ducks Unlimited Canada.
The conservation easements at his Pikisko ranch were donated to the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society and the conservation easements on his ranch near Longview went to Nature Conservancy Canada.
The four OH Ranch properties cover nearly 22,000 acres of ecologically sensitive land in southern Alberta.
The donated easements are valued at $26 million and make up one of the largest conservation easement donations made through Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts programs.
“Mr. Seaman’s quiet commitment and passion for supporting various causes is legendary,” said Ducks Unlimited Canada president Jack Hole during the unveiling of the cairn on the Dorothy ranch.
“We are honoured that his generosity continues through these donated conservation easements and pleased to be able to recognize his contributions in this way.”
A similar plaque will be placed at the ranch near Bassano.
Seaman died Jan. 11, 2009, at the age of 86.
Conservation easements are voluntary permanent commitments designed to conserve specific natural areas in perpetuity. Normal management of the land remains, but some activities are limited to protect the land, such as subdivision, clearing land or building.
Protect nature
Smith said Seaman believed in the importance of keeping his large tracts of land intact to protect native grass, bird and wildlife species.
“He wanted to have some area that could demonstrate the history and heritage of ranching,” Smith said.
Seaman also wanted to conserve the natural watersheds and ecological integrity of the land for future generations, he added.
The four ranches will continue to be owned and operated by the Seaman family as cattle ranches.
