A memorial fund honouring a young nature enthusiast has made its first annual donation, providing $2,200 to support outdoor education through Quinte Conservation.
The Jamie Prud’Homme Memorial Fund, administered through Benefaction Foundation, was established in memory of Jamie Prud’Homme, whose love of wildlife and butterflies inspired her family’s decision to help children experience the natural world.
“Jamie’s favourite summer camp was Quinte Conservation,” the Prud’Homme family said in a statement. “The experiences Jamie had there helped foster her appreciation for nature, and we wanted to help ensure those same opportunities remain available for future generations.”
The donation will be directed through Quinte Conservation’s Laurie Gashinski Fund, which supports hands-on outdoor learning and exploration for young people.
A portion of the money will support an outdoor education initiative at Nova Children’s Daycare Centre, where children will take part in a program focused on caterpillars and butterflies.
The daycare has expanded its outdoor learning space beyond a traditional vegetable garden to include a butterfly and pollinator garden. The space will help children learn about food production and the role bees, butterflies and other pollinators play in healthy ecosystems.
The family said the butterfly project holds particular meaning because of Jamie’s love of nature.
“It is wonderful to know that this donation will help young children discover and appreciate the natural world in the same way Jamie did,” the family said.
Lindsay Nash, Quinte Conservation’s outreach and stewardship coordinator, said the organization is honoured to help celebrate Jamie’s legacy.
“This donation will help create meaningful opportunities for children to connect with nature through hands-on learning experiences,” Nash said.
The $2,200 contribution marks the memorial fund’s first annual donation.
