click to enlargeLaunching the John E. Poole Conservation Fund was a family effort that included (l to r): DUC President Jack H. Hole, Peter Poole, John Poole, Sara Keith, Susan Poole, Barbara Poole, PCL Construction Vice President, Risk Management Jim Mitchell, and President and CEO of PCL Construction Ross Grieve. John E. Poole was the co-owner of Poole Construction, now known as PCL Construction.

John E. Poole Conservation Fund


  • The John E. Poole Conservation Fund is for the formation of a legacy fund to support wetland conservation activities in Alberta, including the development of the John E. Poole Wetland Interpretive Site. The interpretive wetland is adjacent to Lois Hole Provincial Park in St. Albert, Alberta. The park protects an internationally renowned area that provides critical habitat for thousands of nesting and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
  • If you would like more information or would like to donate to the John E. Poole Conservation Fund, please contact Rick Shewchuk, Development Manager, Ducks Unlimited Canada at 1-800-665-3825, 1-780-930-1258 or by e-mail: r_shewchuk@ducks.ca
 

New conservation fund honours Alberta philanthropist

DUC launches John E. Poole Conservation Fund

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Edmonton, Alta., June 24, 2009 – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) launched the John E. Poole Conservation Fund at PCL’s Centennial Learning Centre in a brief ceremony this morning. Barbara Poole, widow of the late John Poole, and her family, presented the first seed money for the fund. PCL’s President & CEO Ross Grieve also added to the fund on behalf of the PCL family of companies. The fund is aiming to raise a total of $5 million to support wetland conservation initiatives in Alberta including a wetland interpretive site at Big Lake.

John E. Poole was a man of action who made things happen, especially when it came to the environment and conservation. So it is no surprise that a new conservation fund established in his name is a challenge to all Albertans to get involved, something that Poole was well known and respected for.

“My father was about giving back to the community, putting your words into action,” said Peter Poole. “We talk a lot about how important the environment is and how we need to conserve the land in a natural state. We hope this fund is a way we can get people to be active and do something about conservation.”

DUC President Jack H. Hole added that the fund is a legacy to a man whose name and actions were respected among his family, friends, staff and even those who only knew him by name.

“We are honoured that we could call this the John E. Poole Conservation Fund,” Hole said. “This speaks volumes to the respect that the Poole family has for DUC’s work. We are confident the name of the fund will reflect the importance of why we are raising this money and will inspire Albertans to be an active part of wetland conservation in Alberta.”

The John E. Poole Conservation Fund is for the formation of a legacy fund to support wetland conservation activities in Alberta, including the development of the John E. Poole Wetland Interpretive Site. The interpretive wetland is adjacent to Lois Hole Provincial Park in St. Albert. The park protects an internationally renowned area that provides critical habitat for thousands of nesting and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

“Wetlands are important to the Poole family and all Albertans, but our precious wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate,” said Hole. “We need to build this legacy so that we can continue our work to ensure that wetlands remain healthy and abundant for John Poole’s grandchildren, and all future generations.”

John E. Poole is a former co-owner of Poole Construction Ltd. and the son of the company’s founder, Ernie Poole. In 1977, Poole and his brother sold the company to their employees and it was renamed PCL Constructors Inc. Today, PCL is the largest construction company in Canada and one of the largest in the United States. Poole was also an active philanthropist in the Edmonton area. His contributions included the rejuvenation of the Edmonton Community Fund, protection of natural ranch lands adjacent to Waterton National Park and contributions to a plethora of arts groups and programs in the province. In 2004, Poole and his wife Barbara became the first couple to be jointly named to the Alberta Order of Excellence.

For more information, contact:

Anh Hoang, a_hoang@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Tel: (403) 827-8762

 
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