The Nature Conservancy of Canada has secured and will help protect 91 hectares of wetland and forest in rural southwest Ottawa near North Gower, adding it to conservation lands within the Marlborough Wetland system. The land, donated through the federal Ecological Gifts Program by the family of the late Doug Smith, will be conserved permanently to safeguard wildlife habitat and help communities manage flood risks. Wetlands are vital for biodiversity, water filtration and flood mitigation as