Bob-plane-2-copySince its founding in 1961 by the Reverend Robert Bryan, the Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) has always included leadership as a key element of its mission and operational strategy.

As a young man traveling by float plane to the North Shore of the St. Lawrence – a place known as the Quebec-Labrador – Bob Bryan demonstrated his own extraordinary ability to act as a leader. Working in the tradition of Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, Bob opened doors and hearts in small fishing communities throughout the region, bringing friendship, his remarkable talents as a clergyman, and the idea that the children in these communities should benefit from a new generation of community services. Indeed, Bob’s work soon became widely recognized as an extraordinary, exemplary model. Read The Voyageur to learn about Bob Bryan’s full story in the Quebec North Shore.

Bob's airplane_historySoon Bob was inspiring young men and women to follow his example. Initiating many decades of work to train a new generation of leaders throughout New England and Atlantic Canada, Bob led eager high school and college students to the North to teach swimming and provide recreational opportunities. He furthermore began, through QLF, to provide scholarship funds to hundreds of promising people from the North, giving them the opportunity to study and develop their own leadership skills.

In the mid-1970s, programs were expanded both geographically and programmatically when QLF offered residential conservation camps and experiential outdoor leadership opportunities for youths, adults, and families. In 1977, under the direction of President Larry Morris, the Atlantic Center for the Environment was created to develop environmental programs throughout the home Region – New England and Eastern Canada.

QLF_Profiles-intro-copyQLF soon realized its regional programs could be an effective model as countries overseas looked for ways to address environmental issues over an international border. In 1981, QLF created its International Programs to foster an exchange of experience and conservation innovation among organizations and individuals in other regions that face similar challenges and opportunities. Today, our program model of cross-border, bioregional conservation is shared beyond our home region of New England and eastern Canada with conservation leaders in Europe; Central and Southeast Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East North Africa, the Gulf States; and Southeast Asia.

Binding all programs together is QLF’s commitment to leadership development through community service; community-based conservation; and stewardship of natural resources and cultural heritage.

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Dinner in Beit Sahour, Palestine for Alumni of QLF’s Middle East Fellowship

Program Publications