A lifetime of observing nature and choosing to protect its future

Dave and Susan Russum share a decades-long passion for the natural world. To give future generations opportunities to also find joy in nature, they have given an estate gift to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. supplied

For one Calgary family, decades of observing the natural world has shaped not only how they live but the legacy they are choosing to leave behind with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).

Dave and Susan Russum have been keen naturalists for nearly four decades, and it all began with their quiet backyard in Calgary.

Since 1987, Dave and Susan have recorded more than 100 bird species on their property. What was once a simple grassy yard has gradually transformed into a small but thriving habitat, with native trees, shrubs and even a small pond. Their backyard now attracts everything from northern pintails to red-tailed hawks and coyotes; bobcats and jackrabbits have also been seen from time to time.

In many ways, it is an unlikely place for such biodiversity, just minutes from downtown Calgary and within a short distance of the Trans-Canada Highway. But for the Russums, it reflects something deeper: a lifelong passion for observing and supporting the natural world.

For Dave, a geologist by training and an avid birder, nature has always been about more than enjoyment. It is about understanding change over time. Rocks, he notes, tell the long history of the Earth, while birds reveal what is happening right now.

From the beginning, nature has been a place for Dave and Susan to return to, both at home and in the wider natural world they explore together. These experiences have shaped a shared family passion. Their sons, Ian and Mike, grew up with an appreciation for the natural world, and today Mike is a professional biologist, carrying forward an early curiosity sparked in childhood. These lifelong experiences have shaped not only how Dave and Susan see the world but how they have chosen to support it.

The Russums’ relationship with NCC began in 1989 and deepened over time through personal connections and lived experience. In Calgary, they often crossed paths with naturalist Gus Yaki, a passionate advocate for conservation who spoke frequently about NCC’s work. In 2017, Dave joined Mr. Yaki on a walk across southern Alberta to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary, visiting several NCC conservation sites along the way.

“It opened our eyes,” Dave says. “You begin to see not only what is at risk but what can be protected when people take action.”

That experience marked a turning point.

The Russums made a big family decision to focus much of their giving on conservation. Habitat loss, they note, is one of the defining challenges of our time.

“Protecting what remains is essential,” Dave says, “but reversing current trends will require a much greater commitment to restoring nature.”

Investing in nature feels like the most meaningful way they can help. It is what led them to NCC, and it continues to guide both their giving today and their decision to leave a legacy gift for tomorrow.

For Dave and Susan, legacy giving is not about recognition. It is about continuity, by protecting the ecosystems they have spent a lifetime observing so that others can experience them too.

By including NCC in their estate plans, Dave and Susan are ensuring their commitment to nature extends beyond their lifetime and continues to support conservation work for generations to come.

The Russums also believe their approach to giving is accessible. They see philanthropy not as something reserved for a few, but as a reflection of personal values and priorities. Their confidence in NCC is grounded in its 60-plus-year history and its ability to bring people together, from landowners and communities to governments, Indigenous partners and individual supporters, all working toward a shared goal of protecting Canada’s most important natural areas.

Looking ahead, their hope is simple. Dave and Susan would like to see future generations experience the same sense of wonder they have known throughout their lives, from birdsong in the backyard to wildlife moving across open landscapes.

“Helping to preserve natural places is the greatest gift we can give future generations,” Dave says.

For the Russums, that belief is not abstract. It is something they have lived, recorded and nurtured for nearly 40 years. And it is what has led them to ensure their support for NCC continues into the future through their legacy that will help protect nature long after them.

For Dave and Susan, a gift to NCC is an easy and intentional decision. It ensures the places they have watched, studied and loved will remain protected, forever.

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