Donations honoring late wildlife advocate going to legacy fund
‘Jim Fowler Experience’ exhibit planned for Chehaw back to idea stage
File Photo
By Jennifer Parks
[email protected]
ALBANY — After some apparent confusion as to what was to become of Jim Fowler’s legacy, it has been revealed that the “Jim Fowler Experience” exhibit that had been planned for Chehaw will not be supported by that legacy.
It appeared that Chehaw would be accepting donations in memory of Fowler to establish the exhibit, and information was released later indicating donations to Earthquest going toward a legacy fund set up for Fowler might be funneled into Chehaw to fund the exhibit.
The latest is that the money is to go into the legacy fund and not to Chehaw at all.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped share the story of Jim Fowler and the ‘Jim Fowler Experience’ that we shared with you last week. Unfortunately, things have changed since then,” officials from Chehaw said in a statement. “The family has decided that memorials will go to Earthquest. These funds are not coming back to Chehaw. We had been given information from a different family member that the funds were coming to us for the ‘Jim Fowler Experience Concept.’ That was inaccurate as it turns out.
“No funds for the Earthquest/Jim Fowler Legacy Fund are coming to Chehaw. They are all going to Earthquest, solely for the benefit of the Jim Fowler Legacy Fund. Our idea for the new ‘Jim Fowler Experience’ exhibit is now back to just an idea. At this time, we do not have any plans to continue with the concept.”
In lieu of flowers or gifts, individuals can donate to the Jim Fowler Legacy Fund via a tax deductible donation to Earthquest, a 501©(3) dedicated to wildlife preservation and education. Checks should be made payable to: Earthquest, 1583 North L St., Pine Mountain Valley, Ga., 31823.
A credit card donation page is expected to be available via PayPal.
Fowler was born in Albany on April 9, 1930, and was one of five sons. His son, Mark Fowler, and daughter, Carrie Fowler Stowe, were also born in Albany. He left behind his widow, Betsey Fowler, when he died peacefully in his sleep May 8 at the age of 89.
Betsey Fowler is a renowned wildlife artist. The Fowlers’ son is the vice president of wildlife conservation at the Explorers Club and nature initiative director at Grace Farms, where he works to save African wildlife from poaching and trafficking. Their daughter hosted the family’s Emmy-nominated TV series “Life in the Wild” and is an advocate for the environment.
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