Love and respect for nature grew in his family

Charles Labatiuk at the summit of Mt. Chester, August 1993

Bill and Natalia Labatiuk are immersed in their memories as they sit on the bench that honours the legacy of their son, Charles, and watch the energetic bird feeding station at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory. They reflect that the bench would be a place that Charles would love to sit and listen to the birds. They laugh as they agree that, "he actually wouldn't sit too long – he would just have to get up and explore."

Charles Labatiuk hiked, paddled and explored wild spaces like Beaverhill. He was a keen naturalist, photographer, mountaineer and environmental professional. As a boy, his parents remember him at his grandparents' farm: "He discovered the magic of our natural world through bugs, frogs and plants. By his 12th birthday, he was blazing his own trails and taking his younger siblings, other neighbourhood kids and his slower but enthusiastic parents to identify bird songs."

In his will, Charles left a bequest to Nature Canada that will preserve and protect magnificent places like Beaverhill and other Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

Charles' legacy will support the ongoing and future work at Beaverhill Bird Observatory, including extensive education programs, local conservation efforts protecting rare species including songbirds and Burrowing Owls, and research on bird ecology.

The Charles Labatiuk Entrance Scholarship will be awarded to a young naturalist attending post-secondary studies in the natural sciences, and the Charles Labatiuk Volunteer Award is for exceptional bird conservation and stewardship efforts.

An endowment is created through an initial outright gift of cash or bequest in your Will, the principal of which is held in perpetuity, or indefinitely. The annual interest generated can support one of our conservation projects, for example, the Important Bird Area of your choice.

Nature Canada staff member Jodi Joy is inspired by the Labatiuk family and their shared, enduring commitment to protecting nature: "We are truly honoured that Charles remembered Nature Canada in his Will, and we will ensure that his gift is used to protect the wild spaces he explored in his life."

The Charles Labatiuk Endowment Fund is an excellent example of how a planned gift, through an endowment or gift in your Will, allows you the opportunity to protect and preserve your favourite spot for birds and wildlife, now and forever.

To leave your own lasting legacy for nature, please contact Jodi Joy at jjoy@naturecanada.ca or 1-800-267-4088 ext. 239.