It's National Volunteer Week April 10-16 and DUC (Ducks Unlimited Canada) is taking the time to salute its supporters including one Yorkton individual.
Laura Dean, the organization says, is committed to ensuring a future with a strong natural legacy for all Canadians by volunteering with DUC.
"I was raised to spend a lot of time in the outdoors. Canada is one of the best places in the world for that," says Dean.
"Having lived abroad, I believe that we Canadians are incredibly fortunate to have such ecological diversity. DUC is one organization that helps secure that diversity for future generations."
Dean, along with nearly 7,000 volunteers across Canada, donates her time and talent to help raise money and awareness for wetland conservation. Her efforts contribute to the development of on-the-ground habitat conservation projects and support world-class research and education programs. Not only is this next generation of DUC volunteers inspiring other volunteers of all ages, they play a lead role in the conservation of Canada's wetlands for future generations; they are making a real difference in their communities."
Dean moved to the community of Yorkton several years ago and while looking for ways to meet new people she discovered DUC. Ever since, she has been an active volunteer on both the Yorkton ladies' fundraising committee and the Yorkton fundraising dinner - one of the largest in the province. Dean's role ranges from soliciting donations to selling tickets - any way that she can help to raise awareness and funds for wetland conservation.
"Laura's passion and enthusiasm for DUC is a huge benefit to the Yorkton ladies' chapter, which organizes one of the best DUC women's events in Saskatchewan," says Todd Holmquist, DUC fundraising manager in Saskatchewan.
"She is a great example of how young volunteers can bring new ideas to DUC as well as help and encourage other young people to become involved in important issues like wetland conservation."
With the support of volunteers like Dean, DUC recently completed its Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign - the largest conservation fundraising campaign ever undertaken in North America. Working alongside Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in the United States and Ducks Unlimited Mexico, DUC contributed to waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation, water quality as well as recreational and learning opportunities for people of all ages.
DUC could have not achieved these conservation goals without the generous support of its volunteers and supporters. Dean and other conservation-minded individuals like her from across Canada will continue to be the driving force behind ongoing efforts to stop wetland loss.
Ducks Unlimited Canada is a national, private, non-profit organization that has been committed to wetland conservation for over 70 years. DUC conserves wetlands and their associated habitat for waterfowl, other wildlife and people. For more information on volunteer opportunities with DUC, visit ducks.ca/volunteer.
