For Joy, volunteering at FortWhyte Alive is the perfect mix of nature and education.
As someone who loves being outside, from cycling to skiing, she knows the powerful impact that time can have. And, it was her love of nature that led her to FortWhyte Alive, where she’s found a community of like-minded people looking to make a difference.
From volunteering with school programs to events, Joy’s passion for connecting people with nature exemplifies what FortWhyte Alive does every day.
We connected with Joy to see why she volunteers at FortWhyte Alive:
How did you hear about FortWhyte Alive Alive?
I heard about FortWhyte Alive (FWA) through participating in events and activities at FWA. When I was looking for a volunteer opportunity, FortWhyte Alive was the first organization I thought of as I really enjoy being outdoors and learning about nature.
What made you want to get involved?
I was drawn to volunteering at FortWhyte Alive through my love of nature, and being outdoors helping and encouraging a diversity of people. I also wanted to be a part of an organization that takes the lead in supporting environmental initiatives like composting, low water usage, and sustainable farming practices. I also wanted to learn more about nature and how we can respect the environment in a sustainable way.
“FortWhyte Alive has been able to impact the lives of our community during these changing circumstances by providing a place where the community can come and relax in nature.”
- Joy Goertzen
What impact does FortWhyte Alive have on our community?
I think the impact that FortWhyte Alive has on the community is especially evident during the pandemic. FortWhyte Alive has been able to impact the lives of our community during these changing circumstances by providing a place where the community can come, relax in nature, and have new experiences. In the last couple of months, volunteers have been walking the trails to help people navigate FortWhyte Alive and share information about what is happening in nature. This last weekend, we were watching the baby bison run in the field and it was so heartwarming to hear people laugh as they enjoyed watching the herd. We were also giving away White Spruce tree seedlings. We approached one family about planting a seedling, and they were excited to receive a tree to plant. This is another way that FortWhyte Alive impacts the community by reaching out and giving the community practical ways to help the environment.
What would you tell someone who wanted to get involved in supporting FortWhyte?
For someone who wants to support FortWhyte Alive through volunteering – I would tell them that volunteers make a difference in so many ways through teaching, mentoring youth, and initiatives that respect the environment. When you support FortWhyte Alive in other ways through membership or donations, you are helping families, children and youth to experience the positive effects of interacting with nature and learning about the ways we can respect and support our environment.
Thank you, Joy!
From all of us, thank you for your commitment to FortWhyte and the contributions you’ve made in helping others connect with nature.
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Volunteers are the lifeblood of FortWhyte Alive. They come from all walks of life. From retired professionals looking for something different to students looking to gain experience, what they have in common is a desire to make a sustainable impact.