Hugh Mogensen gives the gift of nature

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Created: Friday, 19 January 2018 15:41

As a homeowner, naturalist, or outdoors enthusiast, you may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of our most threatened populations of Sharp-tailed Snakes or Western Painted Turtles on Vancouver Island.  You may be familiar with the elusive call of the Western Screech Owl, or the distinctive swoop of our local bats. For others, you may still be waiting for that extra special wildlife encounter.  As a member or supporter of Habitat Acquisition Trust, you are likely familiar with our programs that aim to shed light on many of these threatened animals and take action to enhance, protect, and restore their precious habitats. What you may not be as familiar with, are the humble heroes that make this important work possible: the people that make significant contributions that support our habitat stewardship programs.

One person that has made a significant and lasting impact on HAT’s Species of Concern Program is Hugh Mogensen. People like Hugh Mogensen are the reason we are able to take significant strides in protecting, restoring and enhancing habitat for wildlife. Not only was Hugh’s generous donation impactful, but it also helped leverage matching funding to create an even more meaningful and sustainable contribution to species of concern in our region. The momentum created by these caring gestures empowers other people in the community to come together and reach shared conservation goals.

In 2012, Mr. Mogensen gifted $50,000 to Habitat Acquisition Trust. Since then, his generosity has gone towards everything from uncovering rare Sharp-tailed Snake habitat, installing safe nesting grounds for Western Painted Turtles, and increasing awareness and knowledge of our local threatened bat populations through coordinated citizen science projects. Hugh’s gift is a lasting legacy for nature that has made a positive contribution to conservation and a lasting mark on the community.

As it turns out, Hugh has been not only supporting HAT’s efforts to protect local wildlife, but he has been lending a helping hand in his own personal way as well. “I was driving along Oldfield Road in Saanich when I saw a turtle crossing. There was a car coming, so I stopped to let them know, and help the turtle across the road. It was a father and his kids, he was glad that we stopped them. We got to show the children the turtle before it went on its way,” tells Hugh.

We can’t thank Hugh enough for his thoughtfulness, but he confesses, “My wife Helen was the real philanthropist, she was a very generous person. I am more practical. You know, I’ve looked after my children quite well. I pay a lot of income tax. So, I get some satisfaction to give some money away and pay less taxes.” Donating to HAT can be a prudent way to ensure that your contribution to society goes towards what matters to you the most, and you can feel really good about it too. (Top right photo: Helen Mogensen, left, Hugh Mogensen, right)

Hugh was first introduced to Habitat Acquisition Trust through his son-in-law, Biologist Christian Engelstoft. Christian Engelstoft is an expert Biologist working with HAT that has extensive experience surveying reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Christian’s palpable passion for better understanding and protecting wildlife inspired Hugh to support local conservation. It’s the caring supporters like Hugh that have helped HAT take positive leaps that make lasting contributions to science and habitat protection in our region.

Mr. Mogensen also manages the Hugh and Helen Mogensen Foundation. A fund established through the Victoria Foundation that allows Hugh to donate the interest each year to charity. There are so many wonderful ways a person can make a difference, and all it takes is a little inspiration and kindness. Hugh’s gift to habitat stewardship is a shining example that we are so glad to honour.

If you would like to be a champion for nature like Hugh, and want to make your own personal difference for local conservation, Habitat Acquisition Trust welcomes your support. You can make a gift online at any time, or set up a meeting to plan a special gift by calling 250-995-2428 or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit our website, www.hat.bc.ca/donate or drop by the office, 825 Broughton St, Victoria.

Thank you to everyone that makes protecting nature in our region possible, we’re making a difference together every day. For the people we love, the wild places that shape us, and the wildlife that inspires us.

Read more: Hugh Mogensen gives the gift of nature

HAT is hiring

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Created: Tuesday, 16 January 2018 16:19

This position application closed Monday February 5 2018 at 4:00pm. Thank you to the 80 applicants who applied, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted by February 9 2018.

JOB POSTING

Position: Community & Development Coordinator
Term: full-time position starting early February 2018.
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Wage: $20 - $22.50/hr. depending on experience

Deadline for application is Monday, Feb 5 2018 at 4:00pm.

Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) is a Victoria, BC-based regional land trust that helps people understand and care for natural environments in the Capital region. Visit our website at www.hat.bc.ca

The Community & Development Coordinator plans, organizes, implements and evaluates specific outreach and fund development projects as directed by the Executive Director. The Coordinator will work as part of a team including HAT’s Stewardship, Land Acquisitions, and Habitat Management Coordinators.

Duties include:

• Works closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising and development strategy focusing on building membership base, fundraising campaigns and planned giving;
• Assists the Executive Director to identify funding needs and funding sources including new opportunities for grant proposals; researching, preparing, submitting, presenting, and following up on funding applications;
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with existing supporters, volunteers, landowners, community groups, government agencies, local businesses, and other conservation organizations;
• Identifies and responds to public outreach opportunities including organizing community events, workshops and seminars;
• Initiates and maintains relationship with the media and social media including coordination of publicity for projects, drafting of press releases, writing and distribution of newsletters, managing display materials, and managing a variety of social media outlets;
• Maintains comprehensive and well organized project files and prepares reports for the Board and funders;
• Maintains databases related to memberships, donors and volunteers, ensuring privacy protection protocols are in place and observed
• Maintains and manages office administration and supplies.

Skills/Qualifications

• Strong interest in HAT and its mission;
• Post-secondary accreditation in biology, geography, environmental studies, ecological restoration or a related discipline;
• Demonstrated ability in project planning, development, evaluation and management;
• Well-developed computer skills and ability to effectively use basic office technology and software (eg: word processing, powerpoint presentations)
• Experience with website maintenance, database management; Salesforce (or similar customer relationship management software), Adobe InDesign is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal skills, ability to interact and consult with individuals at all levels inside the organization and in the broader community;
• Demonstrated skill in fundraising, community outreach, and education;
• Proven leadership skills and ability to be self-directed;
• Strong public speaking skills (e.g. comfortable providing interviews for radio and news media, presenting on projects to donors, municipal grantors, and public)
• ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and multi-task;
• experience working with children and school groups (must undergo criminal record check);
• Willing and able to undertake professional development and training as appropriate
• Willing and able to work irregular hours including some weekends;
• possess Driver’s Licence and access to a motor vehicle for transportation may be required;
• Sense of humour and proven ability to work in a close team;
• Experience working with non-profit organizations an asset;

Position Competencies:

Passion for the Environment: Demonstrates a strong alignment of one’s own values with those of the organization, puts the organization’s mission first and defends its principles.

Collaborative Relationship Building: able to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance and support;

Strategic Orientation: Able to link long range goals to daily work, take the long-term view and develop plans to meet over-arching goals;

Effective Communication: the ability to express ideas, facts and information in a clear, timely and organized manner to create positive supportive partnerships;

Professionalism: is honest and forthright, takes responsibility for own actions, conveys a command of relevant facts and information, acts in a manner that conveys trustworthiness, reliability and dependability.

Thoroughness: takes steps to ensure work is of high quality, that information is complete and accurate, follows up with others to fulfill commitments, monitors work quality, uses systems to organize and keep track of information or work progress

Service: demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the needs of donors, partners, or community members, striving to ensure their full satisfaction.

Please apply to: Jill Robinson, Executive Director, with subtitle: “Community and Development” submitted by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or mail Habitat Acquisition Trust, PO Box 8552, Victoria, B.C., V8W 3S2

Application should include: Resume and cover letter that demonstrate how the candidate meets the qualifications and competencies in the job description.

We would like to thank all applicants for your interest in working with HAT. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Read more: HAT is hiring

Local Business Partners 2017

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Created: Tuesday, 16 January 2018 10:13

So many local businesses have supported HAT in a variety of ways. From donating food for volunteer events and gardening equipment for restoration, to sponsoring the events and programs that make conservation in our region possible. Every contribution makes a big difference to nature. Thank you for your support! 

The businesses listed below have taken a leadership role this year in keeping our region vibrant and healthy with their forward-thinking sponsorship of nature initiatives with HAT. Our thanks go out to them for making it possible to take action where wildlife need it most. 

See our sponsors from 2016 here.

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 250-995-2428 to talk about customizing a partnership for nature today. Be recognized for your good work in our community.

Read more: Local Business Partners 2017

Volunteer Spotlight: Jane Hansen

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Created: Tuesday, 09 January 2018 15:09

This month the HAT office team would like to shine the volunteer spotlight on Jane Hansen for taking the time to share her expertise on GIS (Geographical Information Systems) with HAT. We affectionately nickname her GIS Jane for her exepctional skills. Thank you Jane for volunteering your time as a GIS action hero for local conservation, we are amazed by your kindness, helpfulness, and tenacity.

Paige Erickson-McGee, shares her gratitude for Jane, “Jane has been immensely helpful in the mapping department, making the impossible seem possible! She brings a lightness and sense of accomplishment to a daunting task. Her passion for mapping and problem solving is an inspiration! Thank you Jane for everything you do for HAT.”

Wendy Tyrrell, HAT's Habitat Management Coordinator adds, "Working with Jane allows me to envision the possibilities of merging on-the-ground restoration with future management planning. She is a blast to work with, always smiling and helpful and her enthusiasm is contagious!"

Land Acquisition Coordinator, Barb von Sacken includes, "Jane has with warmth, humour and her confidence boosting response of “That’s a good question” to all manner of queries helped to streamline how we organize our data for the covenants program. Our new data structure has tremendously helped in my day to day work. Thanks Jane!"

Executive Director, Jill Robinson shares her accolades and gratitude as well saying, "Jane has been an incredible addition to our HAT team, as a fun and friendly office presence, as well as her thoughtful and enthusiastic approach to problem solving! She thinks outside the box and her experience and knowledge has been a tremendous value to our various programs in data management and mapping. A huge thank you to Jane for her time, energy and resources."

Jane shares a little bit of her Habitat Acquisition Trust volunteering experience with you:

When Jane first got introduced to HAT she says, "I went to the HAT website and read about their conservation efforts: I was hooked! They do it all, they work to protect and restore natural areas and - maybe even more importantly - HAT engages the public in their work, who ultimately need to be included to help make conservation stick.

I continue to volunteer because what they do works and I am a believer in what HAT does."

Recalling her favourite experience volunteering with HAT Jane tells us that she and Executive Director, Jill had discussed using GIS analysis, HAT spatial data, and other land use layers to help identify potential conservation areas that would creat contiguous conservation zones. Recently Jane worked with Stewardship Coordinator, Paige Erickson-McGee to help do just that with planning HAT's Good Neighbours landowner stewardship program work in the East Sooke Wildwood Watershed this year.

Jane says, "HAT does so much more than just land conservation. They work to protect species at risk, and they are an active part of the community holding seminars to share information. They are kind and grateful for all the people that come out to help make their work, work."

If she could share something to others about being part of the HAT community Jane would want other to know: "Don't feel shy about coming into this office to check it out or offer lend a hand. When anyone walks through their door, the staff members are warm, kind and inviting. They make you feel a part of the cogs that make the wheel turn. You are important to the functionality of the system and they appreciate it. You will learn, you will laugh."

Thank you Jane for sharing your insights as well as volunteering to support local conservation with us at HAT, it's always a joy to work together.

Read more: Volunteer Spotlight: Jane Hansen