Grenville Volunteer Award winner: Jane-Anne Campbell

Jane-Anne Campbell (second from left) with her daughters Clara, Holly, and Mary.

We are honoured to present this year’s Grenville Volunteer Award to the very deserving Jane-Anne Campbell. For many years, Jane-Anne has been one of the Land Trust’s most consistently passionate and dedicated volunteers. Her strong belief in the importance of caring for our environment is evident in everything that she does. Jane-Anne has been an exemplary Lead Steward of Umbrella Island, working diligently for many years to make sure this remarkable property is well monitored and looked after. She is often one of the first stewards to visit her property in the spring and one of the last in the fall, and her property reports are full of detailed observations about the wildlife she has taken the time to notice while visiting. Jane-Anne has also been a dependable help with all sorts of other Land Trust matters in the Sans Souci area, from event organization to fundraising to research assistance. We know we can rely on her to get things done and to care deeply about her work. Here’s why she volunteers in her own words: 

How did you first get involved with the Georgian Bay Land Trust? 

My husband Glen and I had purchased a cottage in 1997, after coming to the bay since about 1995. In ’97 we became aware of quite a big property that had come up for sale, and decided to buy it partly for conservation purposes. We were looking for somebody to do the conservation easement with, and found the Georgian Bay Land Trust. I then got involved in the campaign to raise money for Umbrella Island when it came up for sale, and have been involved consistently ever since. It was Sandy Phillips who suggested to me that I become Lead Steward of Umbrella Island when he was ready to wind down. 

What’s your favourite thing about Georgian Bay? 

You can walk in places in Georgian Bay that very few people go to. It has all of this pristine land. I get in the car and leave Toronto and within 3.5-4 hours I’m here, walking a trail. The beauty of it is incredible, and the number of threatened species – it’s very special, and unique in the world. 

Do you have a favourite Georgian Bay plant or animal? 

Yes – the Massasauga Rattlesnake. They are so misunderstood, and such a docile species. I still get so excited when I see one. I have had some close interactions with them because of all the traipsing around the woods that I do. My foot has been within inches of them, but they won’t hurt you unless you literally step on them. They’re very beautiful animals. 

Why do you think conservation is important? 

Conservation is so important because all of the threatened species need a place to live and thrive. There’s nothing we can do for them if we don’t save their habitat. I think conservation is the most significant thing we can do for maintaining the diversity of species that we have in the world, and so important for climate change too. 

What responsibility do you think we as Georgian Bayers have to our environment? 

I think that we all need to try really hard to preserve the habitat at our own homes and cottages. There are so many things that I have discovered are important for wildlife – for example, junipers being necessary for nesting Prairie Warblers, or turtles needing natural shorelines. There’s this temptation to come up and “do things” at our cottages – I have it too – like gardening, clearing out juniper, bringing in sand, building things. But we’re in an area that is so important from a biodiversity perspective, and the beauty of Georgian Bay is its natural landscape. That’s what we need to try so hard to preserve.  

Why do you volunteer for the Land Trust? 

As a busy parent, I’ve tried to focus my time on something that I feel will really make a difference, and I feel that the conservation of land has got to be one of the most important things we can do for the environment. Land Trust properties need stewardship, I can contribute on my own time, and I can choose how much to put into the role. I’ve done lots of fun things like learning how to document all the species – there’s a lot that you can do. It’s also something that my whole family has been able to be involved in. My daughters come along with me on stewardship visits, or even sometimes go out without me. They’ve learned a lot. 

Do you have a favourite memory from your time as a steward? 

My daughter Mary and I were at Umbrella Island, and we saw a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers. We had never seen them before, and we had such a lovely moment watching this pair of birds. We’ve had so many moments like that with wildlife over the years. 

Thank you Jane-Anne for all your work – we’re so lucky to have you on the team!