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- Adrian Van de Sande - Antigonish, N.S.
- Bill Wells - Brooks, Alta.
- Cindy Alexander Clandeboye, Man.
- Claude Roy - Kapuskasing, Ont.
- Dennis Hopping - Kensington, P.E.I.
- Gail Budgell - Glovertown, Nfld.
- Jim Spinks - Fraser Lake, B.C.
- Linda Regush - Saskatoon, Sask.
- Stuart and Janet Blair - Fredericton, N.B.
- Nathalie Bernier – Saguenay, Que.
Nathalie Bernier – Saguenay, Que.
DUC star volunteer leads flock of dedicated outdoorswomen
When Nathalie Bernier moved to Saguenay, Que. six years ago, she was a little anxious about starting a new life in a new community. But, her connection with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and past experience as a volunteer made fitting in and finding new friends easy. By helping to re-invigorate Saguenay’s local volunteer chapter, Nathalie has become extremely involved in the community – not to mention a star DUC volunteer.
“I started volunteering with the St-Jean-Port-Joli committee eight years ago and really enjoyed interacting with people at the events. Plus, it was gratifying to know that my work was benefitting the environment,” she says. “When I moved to Saguenay and heard they were trying to revive the local chapter, I thought it was a perfect opportunity. I was happy to get involved with something here and continue supporting DUC and its wetland conservation efforts.”
By encouraging some other conservation-minded Saguenay residents to team up with DUC, Nathalie helped unite the energy of new volunteers with the experience of past supporters. The result: a revitalized committee that’s been hosting successful annual banquets ever since.
“We all work together to make the events the best they can be,” she says. “It’s a great feeling to help organize an evening where at the end of the night people are saying ‘save me some tickets for next year!’ I’ve made some great friends through DUC who I might never have met if I didn’t get involved.”
Nathalie is a shining example of the many ways volunteering with DUC can enrich your life. She says becoming a volunteer not only helped her further understand and appreciate nature, but also gain new skills that she uses in all aspects of her life. Calling herself “a bit shy,” Nathalie says taking on various roles as a volunteer has challenged her to learn new things and given her added confidence that she truly can make a difference in the world.
“Nathalie is an outstanding volunteer who really works hard to make the chapter events fun for everyone,” says Jocelyn Landry, a DUC fundraising manager in Quebec. “She is always willing to lend a hand and currently sits on the district council. Nathalie’s commitment to the wetland conservation cause and her positive can-do attitude are an inspiration for us all.”
National volunteer week, April 19-25, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of volunteers like Nathalie. Perry McCormick, DUC’s national manager of events, says evidence of the outstanding work of volunteers can be seen across the country.
“We have volunteers to thank for the waterfowl flying overhead and the healthy wetland areas below our feet,” McCormick says. “I’d like to personally thank every one of our 7,400 volunteers. It’s your efforts that make DUC’s wetland conservation work possible.”
Nathalie Bernier strongly encourages anyone who’s interested in gaining new skills, meeting new people and supporting a great cause to volunteer with DUC.
“We all depend on wetlands, so it’s up to us to conserve them. Having clean drinking water, habitat for wildlife and places where you can enjoy the outdoors are all crucial parts of achieving a healthy, balanced life.”
