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A Legacy of Love and Conservation

How the Karine Blatter Arctic Fund at WWF-Canada protects polar bears, strengthens northern communities, and demonstrates the lasting impact of philanthropy

“You don’t have to look for it, you have to find it.” This is one of Rudi Blatter’s guiding philosophies, loosely influenced by Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha and the Thai expression “Mai bpen rai,” which roughly translates to “it’s okay,” “no worries,” or “never mind.”

It means being open to possibilities, aware of opportunities, and recognizing when something feels right. This philosophy is woven throughout Rudi’s life, guiding his decisions and helping him stay true to his values. It’s led him to some truly remarkable places along the way, including, in 2020, partnering with WWF-Canada to honour the legacy of his late wife, Karine.

Rudi and Karine met in 1983 and were married three years later, beginning 33 years of shared adventure. As newlyweds, the couple moved to Thailand, where they spent four and a half years and welcomed two children, Eric and Sylvie. South Korea was next, then France, before the family finally arrived in Canada in 1995. Toronto would remain their home for the next 25 years; Rudi says simply, “We knew we found it.”

Karine was dearly loved and deeply devoted to her family and the environment. She adored animals, particularly polar bears. “It was one of those things where you see polar bears on TV, and you think they’re cuddly animals, but you would like to understand more about them,” Rudi explains with a laugh. In 2013, for Karine’s 50th birthday, the pair decided to take a trip to Churchill, Manitoba, with WWF-Canada.

The trip was about five days long, but it left a profound impact on Karine and ignited a deep connection with the Canadian Arctic. “When we were there in Churchill and saw these polar bears, it was something fascinating,” Rudi says. “It was like love at first sight.”

The Blatters had always wanted to return to the north, but in 2019, Karine passed away before they had the chance. While navigating the loss of their beloved wife and mother, Rudi, Sylvie, and Eric found a way to honour Karine’s legacy and keep her memory alive. Together, they created the Karine Blatter Arctic Fund.

The Karine Blatter Arctic Fund

The Blatters established the Karine Blatter........

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