Nutrien and SportsAbility Alliance team up for an outdoor adventure for people with disabilities
Published: Dec 13, 2023
Nutrien’s White Springs Phosphate facility was proud to sponsor the 25th annual SportsAbility Alliance Deer Hunt in November, providing a unique and memorable opportunity for people with disabilities to be active in the great outdoors.
The site welcomed more than 35 SportsAbility members and their guests to explore and access about 1,000 acres of Nutrien's grounds, including reclaimed lands that provide habitat for many types of plants and animals.
“We’ve been working with SportsAbility – formerly known as the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association – for many years, and community interest was stronger than ever in 2023,” says Mike Batts, Environmental Supervisor at White Springs, and one of the Nutrien volunteers who made the event possible. “To help meet that demand, we added an additional weekend of activities to the roster, with our site’s farmhouse serving as the home base and lodging for our guests.”
The farmhouse was renovated to ensure comfort and accessibility for participants and their companions, including specialized furniture and washroom facilities. Outdoors, several hunting shelters were purchased through a donation from one of Nutrien’s suppliers, Pure Polymer, which are specifically designed for hunters with disabilities.
To ensure that everything went off without a hitch, White Springs had over 15 volunteers who joined together to help with logistics, food coordination, guided hunts and transportation.
During the event's kick-off luncheon, Jeff Joyce, General Manager of the White Springs facility, greeted participants, volunteers and local officials and spoke about Nutrien’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mike Dirham, Vice President, Phosphate Operations and an avid outdoor enthusiast, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy nature and sports activities. Hunter safety was also a key focus, addressed by representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
David Jones, retired President of the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association, delivered an inspiring speech, expressing his gratitude to Nutrien and its volunteers for sponsoring the event and emphasizing the healing aspects of nature. He shared his personal journey of finding comfort and strength in the natural environment after facing mobility limitations from an accident he experienced several years ago.
Looking ahead to 2024, White Springs and SportsAbility plan to expand the initiative with a new recreational fishing program. Several of the site’s reclaimed lakes will serve as the backdrop for this new adventure, offering excellent angling opportunities for people with disabilities.