You may already know Jean Lyle, who worked at SeaDoc for 10 amazing years and remains part of our extended family. She’s a truly wonderful person and a lover of the natural world, most specifically the Salish Sea. If there’s a body of water, she’s swimming it in. If there’s a trail, she’s hiking it.
A few years ago, Jean pledged a legacy gift to the SeaDoc Society, and she shares her reasons below in this short, fun donor spotlight. A legacy gift is a planned future donation—a way to make an investment in something you care about after you are gone. It can also make a difference for you. Legacy giving can provide important tax benefits, including a charitable income tax deduction or savings on capital gains taxes. Gifts can be structured to give you lifetime use of your property or lifetime income from your investments. It’s what we call a win-win.
Hi Jean! What initially inspired you to support SeaDoc Society?
To be honest what initially inspired me to support SD was when I started working for SD. To observe the dedication and science-based approach to restore marine ecosystem health that impact animals and humans gives me hope.
What is your biggest concern about Salish Sea health?
Sustainability
What are your favorite aspects of SeaDoc Society as an organization?
My favorite aspects (hard to narrow down to just one) of SD are; science base, education, look at the big picture, people funded, and their ability to bring organizations (Tribal, First Nation, State, Provincial, non-profits, government etc.) from both sides of the border to address complex issues that impact animals, humans and the whole ecosystem.
Why should others should consider supporting ocean health?
The ocean covers 70% of the earth surface, produces over half of the world’s oxygen and absorbs fifty times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere. It provides transportation, recreation, economy, food and medicine. That is a lot of giving. It only seems right to give back. To be a legacy donor I know first hand it helps SD think of additional revenue. It provides me an opportunity for an impactful gift that will hopefully give as much as SD and the Salish sea have given me.
What’s your favorite species in the Salish Sea?
Tufted Puffin