4 Thursday, May 12, 2023brooklintowncrier.com The Heber Down Conservation Area is a popular destination for those looking to connect with nature and explore the outdoors. Its 284 hectares of natural beauty offer a variety of recreational activities. However, what many visitors may not be aware of is that this nature preserve owes its existence to the generosity and community-minded spirit of William Heber Down. Heber was born on April 23, 1889 on a farm in east Whitby Township. From 1913 to 1941 he farmed 107 hectares in Pickering Township (current town of Ajax) until he sold the land to the provincial government for the construction of a munitions plant during the war. Donated land He then purchased 43 hectares from James Lambert in Brooklin and gradually acquired farmland along Highway 7, eventually accumulating 283 hectares. He generously donated his land to the Town of Whitby and, after his death on May 27, 1972, the property was opened to the public. His commitment to conservation in the area was unwavering. His farmland was the site of Canada's first Soil Conservat ion and Farm Improvement Day in 1949 and the much-coveted In te rna t iona l Plowing Match of 1956. He was also involved in municipal politics, serving on the Pickering Township Council, the Whitby Township Council and then, after amalgamation, the Town of Whitby Council from 1969 to 1972. He was Warden of Ontario County in 1953 and elected President of the Southern Ontario Agricultural Society in 1956. He also served as President of the Brooklin Spring Fair from 1957-1958. One of Heber's passions was his Clydesdale horses. In 1950, when Budweiser brewery was looking for a horse that matched its existing team, he sold them one of his. It was a deal that worked well, according to Jack Coates whose father was employed by Heber. A decade later, Heber signed a contract with Carlsburg to promote the brewery. His six-horse team pulled their wooden, hand-carved wagon in parades at the Royal Winter Fair, the CNE and other events, taking the team as far as Brandon, Manitoba. Helped with construction When Brooklin's first Memorial arena was being built to honour the men and women who served in both world wars, Heber was there with his three-ton truck that he'd used to transport building materials from the closed munition plant in Ajax to the community park on Winchester Road. He was an active member of the Brooklin Horticultural Society, so to honour him, the Society (now called the Brooklin-Whitby Garden club) planted a Sunburst Locust tree in the memorial garden outside the arena. A plaque and park bench were made possible by donations from individual donors and clubs in which Heber was involved. Heber Down Crescent, in the Meadowcrest subdivision, also bears his name. The next time you visit the Heber Down Conservation Area, at 500 Lyndebrook Road, take a moment to appreciate the land that stands as a tribute to this man's love for the environment and his commitment to the community. Heber Down By Jennifer Hudgins Support Brooklin Town Crier writer Jennifer Hudgins in her walk for MS by donating at msspwalk.donordrive.com MS Walk on May 28