Dear friends, family, former students, colleagues and fellow supporters of education and our natural world,

We're reaching out with heavy hearts to share the loss of a beloved educator, mentor, and advocate for the great outdoors, Douglas R. Pens. To many of you, Douglas was more than just a passionate conservationist; he was a dedicated teacher who spent his career nurturing young minds to appreciate, respect, and conserve the natural world. His classroom extended beyond four walls and into the great outdoors, where he believed life's best lessons are learned.

In honor of Douglas's profound impact, we are establishing the "Douglas R. Pens Ecology and Conservation Memorial Fund." This initiative is not just a tribute to his memory, but a continuation of his life's work. The fund's purpose is twofold: to provide scholarships to deserving students pursuing studies in ecology and conservation, and to support outdoor education programs that cultivate an appreciation for our planet's natural wonders, much like Douglas did throughout his life.

Douglas dedicated his life to making the classroom accessible and engaging. He was a pioneer in outdoor education, firmly believing that a deep connection with nature begins with understanding and experiencing it firsthand. Whether it was a lesson beneath towering trees, a class ankle deep in a bog, cross country skiing on a nature trail or experiencing a quiet moment taking in the beauty of nature, Douglas ignited a sense of wonder and responsibility in everyone he taught.

By contributing to his memorial fund, you are helping to pass Douglas's torch to the next generation of environmental stewards. Please join us in honoring Douglas's memory by making a contribution today. Your generosity will continue his life's work of educating, conserving, and exploring the world he loved.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.

With deepest gratitude,

The Pens Family