Whitehorse resident Steve Smyth will be make a $25,000 donation to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve next Monday.

A presentation is planned for 10 a.m. as part of the preserve’s Run Wild annual fundraising event.

“I am very pleased to be able to assist the Yukon Wildlife Preserve in its efforts to promote tourism, foster the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, conduct research, and to educate people about our precious wildlife resources,” Smyth said Wednesday.

“Steve’s donation is humbling, gratifying and energizing,” said Jake Palenczy, the preserve’s executive director.

“We’re just so grateful to have his support. His trust in our organization made it possible for us to put the money where we need it most, and to commit to major projects like the master plan and a new barrier-free bus this year.”

The preserve, located off the Takhini Hot Springs Road, is undertaking a master planning process that will guide the next 10 to 15 years.

An important part of the master plan will be to identify major capital and program developments for the benefit of visitors.

The planning process includes a stakeholder engagement report and business plan. The planning team is working to refine the conceptual designs.

“This donation marks a turning point for the preserve,” said Paleczny.

“Steve and his family are showing our community that the preserve has an important role in the community and that we’re on a very exciting trajectory.”

Smyth is a long-time supporter of the preserve. This is the largest donation the preserve has received to date, and will bring Smyth’s donations to the preserve to more than $35,000.

Run Wild’s proceeds go to support the preserve’s wildlife rehabilitation program. In 2018, 99 registrants raised $1,100.

The race will start at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The preserve provides care and a home for the Yukon’s sick, injured or orphaned wildlife to give them a second chance at life.

“But with increasing demand and rising costs, support like this is critical to the preserve’s ability to accept and care for Yukon’s most vulnerable animals,” the facility said in a statement.

The preserve is a zoological institution and a non-profit charity dedicated to connecting visitors with the natural world.

It displays populations of 11 species of Yukon wildlife in large natural habitats. The preserve society also conducts educational programming and funds a wildlife rehabilitation program for injured and orphaned wildlife.

The facilities and the level of care provided to the animals meet the stringent criteria of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, to which the preserve is a long-time member.