This story involves you from Ian Davies, the grandson of Mabel and Reginald Whittemore, the inspiring founders of our group. In the present day, Ian is a Guardian of Nature month-to-month donor and right here he shares some reflections on how his household formed his love for nature and his dedication to motion. I hope you see a few of your individual values mirrored right here!
Nature has all the time been a part of our household story. My appreciation for nature got here, nicely, naturally! Our household cottage in Muskoka has been a part of us for almost 100 years — among the authentic cabin is a part of the cottage at this time. You possibly can see the sunshine coming in between the cabin boards dealing with the lake, and within the winter-time snow comes into the residing and eating room. It’s a magical place that rooted my love for nature.
My Dad was an entomologist (his specialty was black flies) and my mum labored as his lab assistant earlier than they obtained married and began a household. We had been on the cottage each summer time as youngsters and youths. I’ve vivid reminiscences of going for walks in nature and studying about vegetation, birds, and, after all, bugs. My Dad taught my brother and me learn how to stun flies to get them into specimen bottles. Our mates had been very impressed we knew learn how to stun flies!
What would my grandparents take into consideration the state of nature at this time? Properly, the state of nature at this time is frightening and troubling. Lack of habitat, warming oceans, wildfires, flooding — there’s heaps to be involved about. It’s horrible what’s occurring — I believe my grandparents would see it like a runaway prepare. However there’s hope that we will halt and reverse this. And I do know they’d discover hope.
You will discover hope in schooling. My mom and grandmother, Mabel Frances cherished instructing. They each cherished inspiring youngsters, and folks of all ages, to be taught extra concerning the pure world, and perceive that the whole lot in nature is interconnected.
Mabel Frances Whittemore
Training is paramount — we will’t create change except we’ve sufficient individuals who care and who demand motion to sort things which might be unsuitable. And giving to Nature Canada provides me hope. I’m a Guardian of Nature month-to-month donor and I’m proud to see this group push the envelope, deliver individuals collectively, and lift our voices for nature. Each month, I do know that my reward is at work saving nature, and it’s being mixed with the presents of different caring and passionate Canadians. I hope everybody studying this can think about what they will do to assist nature — and giving at this time is a method to discover hope!
