Donor Profiles
Read about our amazing donors!
Our Donors:
In our 40+ year history CPAWS Northern Alberta has had over 10,000 Albertans directly support our work through volunteering, becoming a member, or donating funds - and these are only the people we have electronic records of! Here are a few that we have approached for their story:
We want to hear from you:
Do you have a story that you would like to share? Please contact us - it is hard to keep track of all 10,000 of our supporters!
Elly De Jongh
Since joining CPAWS in 1968, Elly and her husband Hermand De Jongh have been invaluable volunteers for CPAWS Northern Alberta. Elly has has recently joined our Boreal Legacy Circle.
What is your favourite wilderness moment?
Soon after our immigration from the Netherlands to Canada in the spring of 1959, we visited one of Canada’s famous Mountain National Parks. After an exhilarating hike in this spectacular natural oasis, we sat down on the forest floor for a sandwich lunch. Suddenly, we heard a rustling sound behind us and, lo and behold, a beautiful deer appeared and approached us. We quickly got up and offered her a piece of our sandwich, which she gently took from our hands. Later we found out that feeding wild animals was a “no-no”, but for us the encounter with this deer was a magical moment that we will never forget.
What does protecting wilderness mean to you?
The fact that wilderness still exists in today’s hectic world is due to the foresight and vision of those in power long ago who established the National Parks as a haven for not only wildlife, but also for humans. CPAWS is one of the organizations who, throughout the years, continued to act as guardians of the integrity of these precious wilderness places. It took many an uphill battle with governments and developers, but organizations like CPAWS have succeeded in preserving most, if not all, of these natural treasures.
How long have you been supporting CPAWS?
We joined the “National and Provincial Parks Association” (CPAWS’ name in its early years) in 1968 and became members for the rest of our lives. When the Edmonton Chapter was established I became the secretary in a volunteer capacity as a member of the new Board of Directors. I remained the secretary for 10 years.
Why support CPAWS Northern Alberta?
I support CPAWS Northern Alberta in its work to protect Alberta’s Boreal Forest and its wildlife habitat. It is important for us to have organizations like CPAWS who work to protect wilderness areas in an effort to defend against the deaths of thousands of birds on their migratory route – not “only 500 ducks,” as we all know. The lackadaisical attitude of oil companies in cleaning up their tailings ponds is clearly not acceptable and we need organizations to hold the government and industry accountable.
Why did you become a Boreal Legacy Circle donor?
I want to make an ongoing financial contribution to CPAWS’s Boreal Legacy Circle program through the Edmonton Community Foundation for as long as I am able to provide financial stability for the work of CPAWS Northern Alberta.
[Note: a Boreal Legacy Circle donor is someone who commits to making a significant pledged gift (e.g. $1,000 / year) over a 3 –year time frame.]
Ross Hodgetts
Over the last 37 years, Ross has been an incredible volunteer for CPAWS Northern Alberta; he is a Boreal Legacy Circle donor.
What is your favorite wilderness moment?
A day I will never forget - hiking in Campus Pass in Jasper National Park with my kids. We were sitting down eating lunch when a family of mountain 
goats came down a draw right in front of us. We were all so fixated on the goats that, unbeknownst to us, a caribou crept up behind us and was only 50 feet away. When we looked back, we were in awe – an incredible moment- to be surrounded by wildlife.
What does protecting wilderness mean to you?
It means everything to me. As a kid, I spent all my summers on the shores of Georgian Bay. The nearest road at the time was 25 miles away and we had to go in by boat. I spent a lot of time with my dad who was an amateur naturalist. He showed me what wilderness was like.
I think I took it for granted though, until I visited the U.S. in my 20’s. I saw lots of environmental degradation in California - that changed my perspective. I realized both how lucky we are in Canada to still have so many wild spaces left and yet how fragile wilderness can be.
Why support CPAWS Northern Alberta?
I have four favorite (environment-based) charities I support. Why is CPAWS one of my favorites? Because of all the wonderful people who have been involved in CPAWS Northern Alberta over the years. Their commitment has inspired me to stay. Besides, every environmental group has a role to play and all are needed.
What was your first volunteer experience with CPAWS?
It was when Imperial Oil in the early 70’s was trying to transform Lake Louise into a major ski resort. They wanted to add condos, storefronts, ski lifts all throughout the valley. CPAWS was able to stop them - one of our victories of the time.
Why did you become a Boreal Legacy Circle donor?
My last gift was such a good investment in wilderness conservation that I just signed on for another 3 years.
