Sharolyn Vettese

As a long-time environmentalist, avid gardener and backpacker, Sharolyn Vettese has always cared deeply about nature.

So when the Toronto-based mother of three became increasingly alarmed about climate change, she decided to take matters into her own hands. With the help of her father and business partner, Alfred Mathieu, Sharolyn invented something extraordinary.

Today their company, Wind Simplicity, manufactures and installs the Windancer, a highly-efficient, on-site wind turbine that is designed to be bird and bat friendly.

While traditional wind turbine blades are light-coloured and taper to a point, rendering them invisible when moving at high speeds, Sharolyn's Windancer has gold-coloured blades that are wide at the ends so the birds and the bats are aware of the wind turbine, and avoid the blades. "Our goal with the Windancer was to respect nature, to work with it, rather than try to force it. We see the wind as a wild animal, for us to receive, not to harness."

Sharolyn's company aims to put nature first. "We make working with nature simple and use green principles in every aspect of our work," she says.

Another way Sharolyn puts nature first is by giving generously to Nature Canada, where she has been a dedicated member since the early 1990s. "I like that Nature Canada is a Canadian environmental organization, with the goal of protecting wildlife habitat and leaving our natural areas intact."

As a Nature Builder donor, Sharolyn's generosity is making a tremendous impact. "I’m a big supporter of Nature Canada's educational and outreach programs," she says. "Just as I teach my children the value of nature and the importance of co-existing with nature, I like to know that my donations help to teach others across the country."

Nature Builders help us deliver locally-based conservation action and national level education, awareness and protection campaigns for our most treasured areas and wildlife. To learn more about becoming a Nature Builder, please contact Jodi Joy at 1-800-267-4088 ext 239 or at jjoy@naturecanada.ca.