Yves and Brian Bergeron work together to save wetlands as a DUC volunteer family.
Yves and Brian Bergeron work together to save wetlands as a DUC volunteer family.
 

Family Ties – Generations of Ducks Volunteers

Yves and Brian Bergeron

Point to a picture of a goose, deer, racoon or rabbit and Brian Bergeron’s two and five-year-old daughters will easily rattle off the names of each creature. Point to a picture of a green mallard duck head and – rather impressively - they’ll pipe up with the name “Ducks Unlimited!”

The signature Ducks symbol is something special in the Bergeron household. That’s why these youngsters know this particular picture is more than just a duck. While they may still be too small to understand all the things Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) does to save the world they live in, having a dad who volunteers with Ducks is a good start.

Brian has been a Ducks volunteer for nearly 20 years and currently sits on Quebec’s Saint Albert chapter. Passing on the passion for wetland conservation is a family tradition he’s sharing with his children – something his father shared with him.

“Understanding and appreciating the environment is important, and I don’t want my children to take it for granted,” said Brian. “My father always included me in his DUC activities, so it was only natural to follow in his footsteps.”

Brian’s father Yves began volunteering with Ducks in 1985 and has been spreading the word about conservation to young people ever since. He introduced Brian to the DUC cause via Greenwings Day – an event where youth take part in a variety of wetland activities. As time went on, Brian began working as a Greenwing leader and became more involved with the DUC cause while working at fundraising banquets and auctions alongside his dad.

“Brian was eager to become a Ducks volunteer, and didn’t need any encouragement from me to join,” Yves said. “Simply growing up and seeing what my wife and I were doing to support the organization was enough. Volunteering together allowed us to meet new friends and has made wetland conservation something of a family tradition."

Today, Brian’s clever young daughters – along with their baby brother – are all Greenwing members. And with any luck, their curiosity in wetland activities and ongoing exposure to DUC through their father and grandfather will make them the next generation of Ducks volunteers.

It’s because of volunteers like the Bergerons who have incorporated environmental awareness into their family values that DUC continues to be the leader in wetland conservation. And, both Brian and Yves will tell you that the rewards of volunteering are greater when you share them with those around you.

 
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