Lois Webster Fund
Colorado Non-Game Wildlife Research Grants
Lois Webster Fund – Project History
Lois Webster – Our Inspiration
Lois was an impassioned co-founder of the Denver Audubon Society (now the Audubon Society of Greater Denver). Her hope was always to have an endowment to support education and research for Colorado’s non-game wildlife. On her 75th birthday, in 1995, her dream was realized when her many friends gave generously to create the Lois Webster Fund (LWF) that now honors her memory and vision. Born in 1920 in Dodgeville, WI, she moved to Colorado in 1944. Lois devoted much of her life to environmental education, both as an Aurora Public School science teacher for over 25 years and as a Denver Audubon founder and lifetime active member. In addition to teaching, and her many volunteer environmental positions, she was an avid traveler and gardener.
Her Legacy
Lois served on the boards of the Colorado Open Space Council (now the Colorado Environmental Coalition), the Colorado Field Ornithologists and the Colorado Native Plant Society. She was a founding member of the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s non-game Advisory Committee. She received many environmental awards including the Sol Feinstone Environmental Award for Outstanding Volunteer Efforts in 1985. She was instrumental in the creation of Barr Lake State Park and active in her volunteer work related to the Pawnee National Grasslands.
In addition to Lois’s numerous achievements, she is most remembered for her quiet persistence and abundance of insightful ideas. She could organize a group of volunteers to do almost anything, as it was nearly impossible to say “no” to Lois. Her leadership skills were enhanced by the widespread respect she earned over the years and by her calm, rational approach to even the most complex problems. Lois died in 1998.
Funding Guidelines, Requirements, and Application
Project History and Project Descriptions
Lois Webster – Our Inspiration
Lois devoted much of her life to environmental education, both as a science teacher for over 25 years with the Aurora Public Schools and as founder and an active member of Denver Audubon. Born in 1920 in Dodgeville, she moved to Colorado in 1944. In addition to teaching, and her many volunteer environmental positions, she was an avid traveler and gardener. She died in Denver in 1998.
Lois served on the boards of the Colorado Open Space Council (now the Colorado Environmental Coalition), the Colorado Field Ornithologists and the Colorado Native Plant Society. She was a founding member of the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s non-game Advisory Committee. She received many environmental awards including the Sol Feinstone Environmental Award for Outstanding Volunteer Efforts in 1985. She was instrumental in the creation of Barr Lake State Park and active in many volunteer activities related to the Pawnee National Grasslands.
Lois’ Legacy
Lois’ achievements were numerous, but what she is most remembered for by those who knew her was her quiet persistence and abundance of insightful ideas. She could organize a group of volunteers to do almost anything, as it was impossible to say “no” to Lois. Her leadership skills were enhanced by the widespread respect she earned over the years and by her calm, rational approach to even the most complex problems.
The LWF committee meets as needed to administer and to review requests for grants. An annual reception and program is held to highlight the results of the funded project(s). Many of the committe members were friends of Lois’ and have been on this committee since its inception (we couldn’t say no when asked to serve by Lois). The committee includes Arlene Raskin, Ed Butterfield, Karen Hollweg, Urling Kingery, Polly Reetz, Susan Skagen, Allen Stokes, John Wright and Margot Wynkoop.
For more information on the Lois Webster Fund, email info@denveraudubon.org
