The Jennifer Headley Fund for a Living Planet” was established in memory of Jennifer Lynn Headley. Jennifer was raised in Toronto and London, Ontario, earned her B.A. from McMaster University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Queen’s University. She then continued to pursue her dreams and passions to make a difference in the world.
Jennifer lived in Iqaluit from 1998-2001, where she held various positions within the Northwest Territory Government (Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development) and Nunavut Government (Department of Sustainable Development). Jennifer worked for the World Wildlife Fund as the UK's Coordinator for the Himalayas/South Asia program. Prior to joining WWF-UK, Jennifer worked in Nepal for two years, one of them working with WWF-Nepal, to support species conservation. Tragically, Jennifer was killed in a helicopter crash in the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal in September 2006 along with 22 other internationally recognized conservationists.
Donations to the Jennifer Headley Fund for a Living Planet will support the family’s commitment to WWF-Canada’s Arctic conservation efforts. At this time, funds will be used to support several initiatives including Inuit-led conservation projects in Nunavut, with a focus on the establishment of new protected areas and environmental monitoring initiatives. Jennifer had a passion for supporting projects that uplifted Inuit youth. With this in mind, the fund will also support a variety of projects that create opportunities for young people in Nunavut to develop skills through participating in environmental projects. Specific initiatives that this fund has previously supported include the youth component of a Guardians program supporting an emerging protected area in Nunavut, and apprenticeships for young Inuit as part of a locally led polar bear monitoring program.
To learn more about the WWF program that the fund supports, click here.
Link source for above: https://wwf.ca/stories/inuit-led-conservation-nunavut/
Photo caption: Hunter and Geno Lyall checking on their fish nets for Char