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Last updateSat, 09 Nov 2024 11am

Dorothy's OH Ranch part of Doc Seaman's legacy

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    The OH Ranch’s natural character and ecological integrity will now be preserved for future generations thanks to a commitment and contribution honouring Calgary businessman and philanthropist, Daryl “Doc” Seaman.
    A special dedication took place on the ranch in Dorothy on Friday, September 4, which marked the ranch, along with the OH Ranch property in Bassano being dedicated a conservation easement, through an agreement with Ducks Unlimited.
    Members of Doc Seaman’s family, as well as Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne and MP for Macleod Ted Menzies were on hand, marking the donation of one of Alberta’s largest conservation easements.
    “The OH Ranch is one of the oldest ranches in Alberta with a 125 year legacy of grazing and environmental stewardship,” said Jack Hole, president of Ducks Unlimited Canada. "Ducks Unlimited is proud to continue this long standing conservation tradition.”   
    “Years from now this land is going to look the same, and that is a great thing.”
    A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between landowner and a qualified conservation organization. The landowner retains possession of the land, but commits to preserving the natural character, ecological integrity, the scenic value and/or the educational character of the land.
    According to Dave Kaye, Alberta operations manager of Ducks Unlimited, the type of landscape the OH Ranch has, is important habitat for the Northern Pintail, which nests in large tracks of native prairie. It is also important for the Long Billed Curlew, Sprague’s Pipet and the loggerhead shrike. The easements on the OH Ranch Dorothy and OH Ranch Bassano will help protect more than 45 square kilometres of southern Alberta grassland.
    A portion of the property at Dorothy has been classified as having ecologically sensitive lands or sites that contribute to biodiversity and environmental heritage. The donation qualifies for Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, and is eligible for an income tax benefit.
    MP Ted Menzies, spoke on behalf of Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
    “(This is) an important donation through the Ecological Gifts Program in partnership with Doc who has generously donated the land on which we  stand, the Government of Canada has helped to secure six new ecological gifts on four properties covering 7,179 hectares, worth approximately $26 million. This certification allows the land and the species that depend on it to be preserved in perpetuity. This is a marvellous legacy for future generations,” said Menzies.
    Seaman was an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
    “OH Ranch  has worked with Ducks for many years, so it was a natural fit for us to further partner with them to ensure these conservation easements were placed on OH Ranch Dorothy and OH Ranch Bassano,” said Doc’s son, Bob Seaman. “Wetland and wildlife conservation is an important component of the OH Ranch philosophy, and it is my father’s legacy.” 

World’s Largest Dinosaur welcomes 1,000,000th visitor

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The World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD) celebrated a monumental milestone on September 5, 2009. Julie Mainville of Edmonton, Alberta was the 1,000,000th person to climb 106 stairs to the mouth of the dinosaur.
    Mainville received a gift package valued at over $500. The package included World’s Largest Dinosaur merchandise, passes to other great Drumheller Valley attractions, a meal voucher and dinosaur dollars.
    Operated by the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, the World’s Largest Dinosaur officially opened its doors on October 13, 2000. The towering T-Rex standing 86 feet tall was the brainchild of a group of Drumheller business owners. It was through the determined work of many volunteers and funding from a variety of sources that the project was completed.
    Nine years later, the WLD has celebrated many successes. It has been honoured with several prestigious awards including Attractions Canada Awards at both the provincial and national levels. Loans used to fund the project were paid back in full, five years earlier than originally planned. The Chamber of Commerce has also established a Legacy Fund, which designates 15% of admission fees and 10% of Giftshop sales to help other organizations realize their goals.
    General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce, Heather Bitz states “It’s an exciting day in the 88 year history of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce. Drumheller, the Dinosaur Capital of the World, is a great vacation destination and we are happy to provide visitors with such a unique attraction.”

Sports Room, Dragons team up

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Dave Powell, left and Courteny Lowen of Sports Room Source for Sports at the Dragons Den. The Drumheller Dragons announced a partnership with the Sports Room Source for Sports, which brings its merchandise and equipment expertise to the Dragons Den at the Drumheller Memorial Arena. This partnership will allow fans, players and their families access to the Sports Room’s wide array of merchandise not only during Dragons games, but also during minor hockey games, tournaments and various arena special events.  Visitors to the Den will find a great selection of Dragons’ merchandise, hockey apparel by Gong Show and hockey equipment (including mouth guards, sticks, helmets, tape, laces and a variety of other hockey gear).  Skate sharpening will also be available in late fall. Dave Powell, owner of The Sports Room Source for Sports, is extremely proud to be working with the Dragons to provide this service to visitors of our arena.


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