Fostering community growth

After the success of that event, the Charlottetown Committee Chair at the time, Roger Giddings, invited Dewland to attend their next meeting to discuss the dinner’s challenges and achievements. From there, she became a fixture of the committee, participating in the Duck and Run, the DUC Land Monitoring Program, and the planning and execution of multiple Charlottetown Chapter Buddy Shoots and auction dinners. “I think my favourite moment from my experiences with DUC so far was seeing a tiny child’s tricycle sell at the 2022 live auction for over $700. What a crazy moment to be a part of!”

It’s these moments, she says, and the sense of community that comes with them, that is such an important driver for her work. That and the conservation impact she’s been able to see in real time. “This ever-growing network of community and seeing physical improvements to wetland projects around the Island thanks to our efforts is so motivating,” says Dewland.

In 2023, that motivation led her to follow in Gidding’s footsteps. “I decided to take on the role of co-chair of the Charlottetown Chapter and all the responsibilities that came with it. The ability to involve more people in this work and give them a wonderful experience, all while bringing attention to conservation and wetland protection, is a blessing.”

The very community that made such an impression on her when she first started volunteering, now gets to count her as an empowering member.

When asked what impact she wants to make through her volunteer work, her answer is inspiring: “I hope to have an impact on a wider demographic through their involvement in volunteer work, especially younger women.” We have no doubt she’ll do just that.

There are approximately 50 DUC volunteers in P.E.I. and 3,500 across Canada. DUC is proud to recognize each of them—including outstanding leaders like Jennifer Dewland—as volunteer champions and conservationists who make every moment matter by serving with generosity, passion and dedication.