friluftsliv helps re-imagine conservation

What an incredible evening. To everyone who attended the Friluftsliv Gala, thank you—it says so much that you weren’t willing to let a little (ok, a lot) of rain discourage you from showing your support for the Conservation Halton Foundation. (We actually thought the rain made the event more intimate and did a fantastic job of demonstrating why the work that Conservation Halton does is so important!)

I could not be more proud of what we achieved. First, Conservation Halton turned a former gravel quarry into a beautiful natural area. Then, we turned an empty industrial warehouse into a stunning event venue. We invited guests to an event with a name that no one could pronounce, with a dress code (formal rugged) that no one understood, at a venue that didn’t really exist, with a forecast that called for torrential downpour. The fact that there were around 300 guests in attendance at the event shows the enthusiasm and support that our community partners have for the Foundation, and we are so grateful for that.

Despite the rain, Friluftsliv turned out to be a beautiful event with locally-sourced food, hand-arranged flowers, an immersive indoor forest and inspirational messages from Indigenous speaker, Eddy Robinson, and keynote speaker, Jerry Engstr?m—but it was the diverse crowd that made Friluftsliv so special. There is something about a room filled with thought-leaders, policy-makers, community-influencers, politicians, developers, engineers and academics that reminds us what it means to work together. 

Finally, I want to share my gratitude for everyone at Conservation Halton who was involved in putting this event together. I have been sitting on the idea of a party at the quarry and a public reveal of the refreshed Foundation brand for a number of years, but waited for the right time and the right team. Obviously, the wait was worth it, because the pride, commitment, innovation and teamwork that Conservation Halton drew on to make this event happen, shined through, despite the rain.

Browse our event pics below.