Back on Track

Today, Holsgrove runs successful businesses in Quebec and has a strong desire to give back. He recently began researching various charities when, one evening, he was watching Ducks Unlimited TV with his son and saw a segment about hunting and camping in Manitoba. Something in that moment clicked. He picked up the phone and called his dad, and they began reminiscing about the days they spent volunteering at DUC events as a family. Later, when he mentioned it to his wife, she didn’t hesitate, saying: “There’s your charity!”

Thanks to Holsgrove’s dedication and leadership, Duck and Run—DUC’s national fundraising race for wetland conservation—is coming to Quebec for the first time on June 14, 2025.

Holsgrove’s role? He’s helping organize and host the run.

“I just asked, ‘What can I do to help?’” he says. That question then got him connected with DUC’s team in Quebec, and from there, plans began to take shape.

Duck and Run is DUC’s fastest-growing peer-to-peer fundraiser, bringing people together across the country. Some gather for in-person community runs, while others take part virtually, logging their distance and fundraising from wherever they are. What connects them is a shared commitment to wetlands, those essential ecosystems that filter water, store carbon, protect against flooding and provide critical habitat for wildlife.

Holsgrove hopes the event becomes a tradition in the province and something that inspires others to step in and take part. “It’s not just about running,” he says. “It’s about showing up for something bigger than yourself. You can walk, run, waddle, just being there is what matters.”

For Holsgrove, this event also offers an accessible and meaningful way to bring conservation into people’s lives. “It’s also a way to spark conversations about our shared responsibility for nature and the kind of world we want to leave behind for the next generation,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to connect with your community, have some fun, and support a cause that truly makes a difference.”

As for the Quebec City run, there’s already a buzz of excitement. “We’ve got a great route, a great team, and I think people are going to love it,” says Holsgrove.

The goal for Duck and Run 2025 is to raise $75,000 for wetland conservation across Canada. With more local runs than ever before, and passionate people like Holsgrove stepping up, that target feels within reach.

“I’m just one person,” he says. “But if enough of us step in, even in small ways, we can make a big difference.”

That’s the spirit of Duck and Run: every step counts. Whether you’re lacing up for a community event like the one in Quebec City or taking part virtually from your hometown, your involvement helps protect wetlands and the wildlife that depend on them. It’s a run for nature. A run for the future. And thanks to leaders like Phil Holsgrove, we’re picking up the pace.