Normally, FortWhyte’s end-of-year letter would be arriving in your mailbox around now but because of the postal strike, we won’t be able to reach you in the usual way.
Your generosity during this time of year is what makes it possible for us to continue to provide critical environmental education programming to Manitoba’s students. Since we can’t reach you by mail, we wanted to share the letter we had hoped to send you so you can hear about the powerful impact of the work we do here at FortWhyte.
We also wanted to let you know that Tuesday, December 3rd is Giving Tuesday, so any gift made between now and December 3 will be matched up to $10,000 by Vickar Automotive Group, with an additional $5,000 matched by an anonymous matching donor – meaning your generosity will be DOUBLED up to a campaign total of $15,000!
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and generosity, we look forward to seeing you on the trails.
Liz Wilson
President & CEO, FortWhyte Alive
P.S. If you are unsure about how to donate during this strike, please reach out to us by phone at (204) 989-8355, ext. 211, or send us an email at [email protected] and we would be more than happy to help you make a gift, or even come pick up your cheque.
As this year draws to a close, I’m writing to you with a deep sense of gratitude for time in nature — and to share my excitement about the future of FortWhyte Alive.
Over the past 58 years, compassionate people like you have shaped FortWhyte Alive – people who understand the incredible value nature brings to our lives in the simplest and most profound moments.
Because of you, friends walk the trails together, students search the forests for a glimpse of deer and birds in their natural habitat, and grandparents introduce their grandchildren to the wonders of the great outdoors. Nature is a place where we get a break from the busyness and uncertainty of life to breathe fresh air. You know how the impact of these moments is immeasurable – they foster a sense of connection and belonging, not only to the land but to each other.
Your support makes all of this possible.
There is a beautiful example of how one family’s passion can inspire a lasting legacy in the story of Bob and Judy Stewart. As a Boy Scout in the 1950s, Bob led his troop across these lands on 10-mile hikes – trudging through deep snow, camping in tents and admiring wildlife as they went. What he didn’t know was the impact these outdoor experiences would have on his vision for a future where generations could come to experience the magic of nature.
In the 1970s, Bob volunteered to take the lead in developing FortWhyte’s very first nature trails – trails you still enjoy today. He planned routes, cleared brush and built bridges. Bob knew that his dedication to FortWhyte wasn’t just about conserving nature for himself; he had a selfless desire to create a legacy for future generations.
Thanks to your support, FortWhyte remains a place where we can honour Bob’s vision.
As a teacher, Bob was also one of the first people to realize the importance of environmental education and brought his classroom of students to this land to learn and explore. He was a true trailblazer, as his early teachings laid the groundwork for FortWhyte’s educational programs.
Your generosity allows us to continue Bob’s work every day. Thanks to his foundational work and the sustaining gifts of donors like you, every year more than 35,000 students now have the joy of learning about nature… in nature.
As a couple, Bob and Judy gave their time and energy to FortWhyte for decades, dressing up in pioneer clothing to share stories of the past with visitors in the Sod House. Bob, with his broad smile and love of storytelling, and Judy baking biscuits inside, brought the prairie sod hut to life with laughs and history lessons. Reflecting on these days, Judy says that, “The years I spent in the sod house are my life’s happiest days.”
Pictured: Judy and Bob volunteering in costume as pioneers.
Together, Bob and Judy were fuelled by a deep belief that connecting with nature and the act of giving enriches our lives, creating a sense of belonging and strengthening our communities.
Sadly, Bob passed away earlier this year, but his legacy lives on in his family and in the joyful memories of people like you who have found a space to connect with nature at FortWhyte.
Bob once said, “What a joy it has been, both in my life and beyond, to know that FortWhyte will always be here for my children and grandchildren.”
As his loved ones and yours travel the trails, I can’t help but be grateful for the generosity and foresight he had to help create this space for us to enjoy.
FortWhyte’s work connecting people with nature would not be possible without the same spirit of generosity and foresight I see in you. Your support today will ensure that FortWhyte continues to be a place where everyone can connect with nature, now and beyond, just like Bob and Judy dreamed.
Today, I’m asking you to please give generously to our annual giving campaign, and spark life-changing experiences in nature for all who walk these beautiful trails. Your gift is an investment in the future – a future where children, grandchildren, and generations to come can enjoy all that FortWhyte has to offer.
Thank you for believing in the power of nature,
Liz Wilson
President & CEO, FortWhyte Alive
P.S. Next year promises to be a milestone year for FortWhyte Alive with the grand opening of Buffalo Crossing. This beautiful new climate-resilient building will welcome visitors with breathtaking views, new opportunities for learning and adventure, and a deep connection to FortWhyte’s mission. Buffalo Crossing will become a place where memories are made, and generations will continue to come together to enjoy all that nature has to offer. We can’t wait to share this grand opening with you, and we hope you will join us in making this next chapter of FortWhyte’s story as impactful as the last.
P.P.S. Your gift today ensures that FortWhyte continues to be a place where families can connect with nature and each other – Thank you!