The Ben Peterson Wildlife Conservation Fund
Donation protected
On March 31, 2020, Benjamin Joel Peterson, tragically died in a helicopter crash in Audubon County, Iowa. As a field biologist, Ben died doing what he loved – completing surveys to further wildlife conservation.
Ben was born October 3, 1996, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Bill and Christi Peterson. He was an incredible big brother to his younger siblings, Allie, John, Josh, and Mindy. He is also survived by his grandparents, Bill and Janice Peterson of Moorland, Iowa, and Lee and Joyce Probert of Alexandria, Minnesota, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ben will be deeply missed.
Ben was a bright spark in this world and well-liked by all who knew him. Ben was truly a special person and wonderful employee, friend, brother, grandchild, and son. He was energetic, enthusiastic, and always eager to learn and take on new challenges. Ben had a deep love of wildlife and the outdoors, finding time for fishing, hunting, photography, and generally whatever allowed him to be out in nature.
Given Ben’s passion for the natural world, a memorial to honor Ben is being established that promotes conservation of wildlife and/or environmental education. The Ben Peterson Wildlife Conservation Fund will provide resources to a non-profit conservation organization in his home state of Iowa. The intent of the fund is to help further the positive impact that this young man had on the natural places and resources of Iowa, conserving natural places Ben loved and the educating of future nature enthusiasts. Ben believed deeply in the peace and solace that could be found in the natural world – it is his family’s hope that this fund will provide meaningful comfort and value both in these trying times and into the future.
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” – Wendell Berry
photos by Ben Peterson
Ben was born October 3, 1996, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Bill and Christi Peterson. He was an incredible big brother to his younger siblings, Allie, John, Josh, and Mindy. He is also survived by his grandparents, Bill and Janice Peterson of Moorland, Iowa, and Lee and Joyce Probert of Alexandria, Minnesota, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ben will be deeply missed.
Ben was a bright spark in this world and well-liked by all who knew him. Ben was truly a special person and wonderful employee, friend, brother, grandchild, and son. He was energetic, enthusiastic, and always eager to learn and take on new challenges. Ben had a deep love of wildlife and the outdoors, finding time for fishing, hunting, photography, and generally whatever allowed him to be out in nature.
Given Ben’s passion for the natural world, a memorial to honor Ben is being established that promotes conservation of wildlife and/or environmental education. The Ben Peterson Wildlife Conservation Fund will provide resources to a non-profit conservation organization in his home state of Iowa. The intent of the fund is to help further the positive impact that this young man had on the natural places and resources of Iowa, conserving natural places Ben loved and the educating of future nature enthusiasts. Ben believed deeply in the peace and solace that could be found in the natural world – it is his family’s hope that this fund will provide meaningful comfort and value both in these trying times and into the future.
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” – Wendell Berry
photos by Ben Peterson
Organizer and beneficiary
Todd Mattson
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
William Kevin Peterson
Beneficiary