MRA member, former WWF Canada VP, credits parents for career path
Simon Mitchell loves getting outdoors. The former Meduxnekeag River Association (MRA) program coordinator and former Vice President of Conservation for the World Wildlife Fund Canada has always held a healthy respect for nature. He credits his involvement with organizations like the MRA and his career in environmental protection to his parents, who taught him the importance of protecting habitat while fostering his love of nature.
That may have been why Mitchell was a little choked up when he introduced his father, Keith, to the supporters attending this year’s MRA fundraising dinner and auction in Woodstock on Saturday, April 26.
The elder Mitchell was visiting from Kingston, Ontario, to take in the MRA fundraiser while on vacation, spending time with his son.
Simon has been a steadfast supporter and MRA member for over 20 years. He remains involved with the organization because of its dedication to preserving local habitats.
“I believe in what they are doing, and they’re such a wonderful bunch of people within a broader community that is protecting places that urgently need to be protected,” he said, sitting with his father on a garden swing later auctioned at the event.
Keith said there was no specific thing he and his late wife, Elisabeth, did, but they both tried to ensure their children were getting outside and learning about the environment.
“Truth is, we just did things like go out and visit nature learning centres, we camped when the children were young, and we canoed with them. We always had a garden, which was maybe one of the main things, because that ensured we were always outside with them.”
Originally from the U.K., Keith said he and his wife grew up spending a lot of time in nature.
“I lived in the countryside when I was growing up, and my wife grew up on the coast, in England, so she was always out in the fresh air, out swimming in the English Channel. It was what we did.”
Elisabeth Mitchell died two and a half years ago. The pain of their loss was evident, with Simon and Keith becoming emotional when sharing family stories. Simon’s parents were married for 53 years before cancer took his mother in 2022.
“That was our childhood,” explained Simon, who spent his early years in Richmond Hill, just outside Toronto.
“I remember we’d be out in the yard from sunup to sundown. We had a big yard, and a vegetable garden. We didn’t sit around in the house.”
Simon said his parents always encouraged him and his sister to get outside and ensured they were also part of local organizations focused on outdoor pursuits.
“I was in Scouts, my sister was in Guides. That led me to getting the Chief Scout Award, and that involved a lot of camping and outdoor adventure. We still do that today. That’s the life that Jean (wife) and I live as well.”
Simon said he was fortunate to be brought up in that way, as it provided the foundation for a career focused on protecting the environment. That pursuit began in earnest in 1992 when Simon’s parents drove him to UNB after he was accepted into the forestry program.
Once in New Brunswick, Simon said everything about his move felt right.
“I met Jean while I was at school, and I just knew then I was never going to be going back to the concrete jungle, and that my future was here, and I just had to make it happen,” he said.
Keith said he and his late wife always loved visiting New Brunswick, especially when they explored the Meduxnekeag River Valley Preserve with their son.
“We’ve been with (MRA administrator) George (Peabody) and Simon when they’ve taken school children (to the preserve), which has been interesting and educational,” he said. That particular adventure was made more special when they called to a pair of barred owls and had them fly overhead at the junction of the red and blue trails at Wilson Mountain.
Keith noted that he enjoyed watching his son MC at the association dinner this year – his first time attending.
During the event, Simon reminded attendees of the critical work the MRA continues to do, noting that the Meduxnekeag River Valley Nature Preserve now encompasses 1,150 acres of land along the river.
“We can’t protect enough. Time is ticking. (The environment) is an urgent matter, and groups like this (MRA) are showing that it’s possible that conservation can happen at a local community level,” said Simon. “That’s really where conservation happens is at the community level, but it’s people that care about their backyard, and put some time and effort into it to make it happen, That’s what continue to do and that’s what the organization will continue to do.”
The evening was another successful fundraiser for the MRA, bringing in much-needed funds that will allow the organization to continue its mandate of education and preservation.
