New endowed fund supports conservation at refuge
The Suzanne M. Dubuc and John A. MacLennan Conservation Fund has been created as a permanent legacy to inspire future conservation stewards to continue the work of those before them.
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that a recent gift from Kathleen and David W. MacLennan was made in honor of former Sanibel residents John MacLennan and his late wife, Suzanne Dubuc.
They always lived the life of “giving back” in whatever ways they could have an impact. MacLennan and Dubuc had been property owners on Sanibel since 1986 and residents since 2008. MacLennan was a longtime volunteer at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge until Hurricane Ian. As a result, he moved to California, near his daughter. Dubuc had dedicated her life to education, first as a teacher and principal, and then as an entrepreneur, providing educational supplies and toys through her retail business. She was also an active volunteer with the SanCap Chamber of Commerce before her passing in 2016.
David MacLennan grew up seeing their love of service, and now he and his wife live their lives in a similar manner. They are actively involved in projects and organizations that are important to them. With the gift, they recognize the impact the couple had on them as individuals, as well as the impact on the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the island of Sanibel and the younger generation learning to care about the natural world. They acknowledged the role the refuge plays in educating the public on the importance of conserving and managing nature in a time of growing global populations.