History of the Quebec-Labrador Foundation
Founded by The Reverend Robert A. Bryan (Bob), the Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the U.S. in 1963 with headquarters in Ipswich, Massachusetts; and a Registered Charity in Canada incorporated in 1969 with its headquarters in Montréal, Québec.
As a bush pilot, Bob Bryan first flew to the “outport” communities of eastern Canada by float plane, bringing friendship, his talents as a clergyman and the eventual Archdeacon of the Quebec North Shore, and the idea that youth in these communities should benefit from a new generation of community service programs. They focused on leadership, education in the arts, marine and aviation skills, and creative thinking. Following in the tradition of Sir Wilfred Grenfell (Grenfell Mission), Bob led hundreds of high school and college students to the communities of the Quebec-Labrador region. At the time, he initiated the Scholarship Program providing scholarship awards for promising students across eastern Canada. The program is now in its 55th year. Bob Bryan served with QLF until his passing in 2018.
In 1975, QLF expanded from community service programs to the realm of environmental education. Founding the Living Rivers Program in Tabusintac, New Brunswick, QLF established what would become one of QLF’s hallmarks: cross-border, community-based conservation and stewardship programs aimed at both young people and established conservation professionals. In 1977, under the direction of President Larry Morris, the Atlantic Center for the Environment was created to develop environmental programs throughout the home region of New England and eastern Canada. 2025 marked the Larry Morris’s 50th year of service. For 35 of those years he served as President & CEO.
QLF soon realized its regional programs could be an effective model as countries overseas looked for ways to address environmental issues over an international border. In 1981, QLF created its International Programs to foster an exchange of experience and conservation innovation among organizations and individuals in other regions that face similar challenges and opportunities. These programs have spanned Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, the Gulf States, and East and Southeast Asia.
Beth Alling arrived at QLF in 2002 and while directing regional programs and International Conservation Exchange Programs, Beth seized the opportunity to bring together the exceptional body of Alumni in-region and beyond North America to share conservation knowledge, innovation, and working partnerships in-region and across the globe. It was Beth’s conviction that convening Alumni from multiple countries would only be beneficial to renew friendships and create new partnerships and with the backing of the Governing Boards directed the first QLF Alumni Congress in Budapest, Hungary in 2006 with Alumni representing 30 countries. The second Alumni Congress was held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain in 2016 convening 160 Alumni from 40 countries. These Congresses set the tone and spirit of Beth’s tenure. Beth assumed the “left seat” as QLF’s President & CEO in 2017.
Today, QLF continues its mission to engage environmental leaders worldwide to advance community-based and larger-scale conservation and stewardship of natural resources and cultural heritage.