Our awesome volunteers: Mike Cole – Leading by example

By Stephanie Morgan
Communications Intern
For the past 7 years, Mike has enthusiastically participated in WWF’s annual CN Tower Climb.  Before that, he spent time as an in-house volunteer, helping out around WWF’s Toronto office.  Also, he is an active group leader in our Living Planet Community.
Originally from Oakville, Mike wanted to get out of the suburbs to experience the excitement and energy of city life.  He was drawn to Toronto, which he says does not deserve the “bad rap” it sometimes gets.  And, while it was not what brought him to the city, he is pursuing his interest and love of trees at the University of Toronto, working his way through a degree in Forestry.

WWF-Canada CEO Gerald Butts, Panda and Mike Cole (c) Mike Cole
Even Mike’s work life has a ‘natural’ spin to it!  He works for the Australian Boot company, where they sell Merino based products.  Merinos are said to have some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep.  Products made from their wool are animal friendly because their wool grows back and environmentally friendly because some products are compostable.  For example, when you’ve outgrown or outworn your Icebreaker socks, toss them in the compost instead of the garbage!
In his spare time, aside from helping us out here at WWF, Mike enjoys settling down next to the lake and reading.  If he’s not doing that or hiking, it is highly likely he is on his bike, taking on the streets of Toronto.  “I have no fear!” he states.  He is an urban cyclist to the core, an expert on the ins and outs of cycling, as well as his rights on the road.  “It takes some getting used to, but the more you act like a car, the better off you are,” he advises.
Mike is a great example of someone who loves nature and wants to preserve it.  For those who’d like to do their part, he has lots of advice:

• Drive less – take transit, walk, or like him, hit the roads on your bike
• When thinking of the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), remember which comes first.  Reusing as much as you can helps ease the pressure on the system – there is not enough capacity to recycle it all
• If you can, invest in energy saving appliances; you will save money in the long run as well as help the environment
• Wash your clothes in cold water and hang dry, especially in the summer sun!
• Finally, try to eat organic and local food

Leading by example is something Mike Cole does naturally. He has taken all of the Living Planet Community actions, and is eagerly waiting for more to be added! Join him in the effort to take the small actions that add up to big changes.