Individuals
Wildlife Preservation Canada is grateful for our supporters who share our passion for wildlife and believe in saving animal species at risk from extinction in Canada.
We want to thank the individuals who have been with us year after year, generously giving to support hands-on conservation work.
Jack S. Darville
Photo: R. Fallas
We are thrilled to announce a generous gift from Jack S. Darville to establish the Darville Frog Conservation Endowment Fund in support of WPC’s frog conservation programs across Canada.
WPC’s very first donor established endowment, the Darville Fund will provide stable, reliable financial support for our frog program as we save Canada’s most endangered amphibians.
WPC’s executive director Lance Woolaver highlights the importance of this endowment:
“Frogs and other amphibians are exceptional indicators of environmental health. They require unpolluted and clean wetlands and water to survive, as do we. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has determined that 44% of Canada’s frog & toad species are at risk of extinction, requiring some form of hands-on intervention to survive. “Hands-on” action is what WPC does. I can not understate the value of having dedicated, reliable funding for the success of WPC’s conservation efforts. It provides stability in an unstable world. WPC is indebted and appreciative of Jack’s commitment to conservation.”
During his career, Jack Darville was a Partner in the Toronto office of Price Waterhouse and a Director of publicly listed TSX companies. Active in the community through his extensive volunteer service, he was a Director, Treasurer, and Chair of several social service, medical and educational organizations improving the lives of countless individuals.
As a philanthropist and benefactor, he is a generous supporter of a variety of organizations such as Children’s Aid Society, Covenant House and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. In addition, Jack has established scholarships and bursaries at University of Michigan, McMaster University, Children’s Aid Society and Regent Park School of Music, continuing to positively impact students who benefit from his financial support.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jack for his visionary support which will make a lasting impact on frog conservation efforts across the country.
Helen Daly
Helen, one of our long-time donors, who is now a Wildlife Guardian (monthly donor), recently let us know why she supports WPC and we just had to share her moving words below. Thank you, Helen. It’s empowering knowing we have your support.
“Like everyone else, I am desperate to find a way to stop the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. Sometimes, it all feels too big, too overwhelming. I applaud all of the preservation and conservation efforts but I could not tell one group from another. I came to see WPC’s three words, wildlife preservation Canada as a verb – Wildlife preservation, in Canada. At last here’s an organization and young biologists who were using scientific methods to directly rescue species most at risk. I can feel their energy. I can support their energy with my donation. This gives me hope. Do you want to make the impossible feel just a little more possible? Do you want to actually see your donation dollars at work? Do you want to feel proud and grateful to the young Canadian scientists actually doing the work? (you’ll meet them in the newsletter). If you are an action oriented person, this is the group for you. ”
Roberta Olenick
Roberta Olenick is a Vancouver-based wildlife photographer and longtime supporter of WPC, most recently through securities donations. You can view her images at Never Spook the Animals Wildlife Photography, www.neverspook.com (best viewed on non-mobile devices).
“I first learned of Wildlife Preservation Canada over twenty years ago when I was photographing prairie wildlife in Saskatchewan and WPC was involved with swift fox and burrowing owl and swift fox recovery there.
I have been a supporter ever since.
Far too many species that were relatively common when I started photographing in 1998 have become increasingly rare and hard to find. WPC’s work to recover wildlife helps to allay my deep sadness over such loss.
I love that WPC not only applies its cutting edge captive breeding and release techniques to charismatic furred and feathered species such as foxes and owls, but also to all-too-often under-appreciated animals including snakes and frogs (who are among my personal favourites).
I also love that WPC trains young conservationists through its New Noah program so they can continue WPC’s work of bringing wildlife back from the brink.”