By Mary Paisley. Posted on February 3, 2026.
Each February, the Duke Lemur Center celebrates one of our favorite traditions of the year: an annual Valentine to our supporters —a message with a sprinkle of joy, gratitude, and lemur charm for the individuals and businesses who make everything we do possible. We love that our donors enjoy sharing their Valentine with friends, family, and colleagues on Valentine’s Day!
Example of a past shareable Valentine’s Day image sent to the Duke Lemur Center’s donors.
Who receives the Valentine?
This year’s special Valentine message will be emailed on or before February 13 to everyone who made a tax-deductible donation to the Duke Lemur Center in the past year, as well as all lifetime members of our Circle of Life and Legacy for Lemurs giving societies. It’s our way of saying: Thank you—we love having you in our troop!
This tradition is more than sweet—it’s meaningful. Lemurs are Earth’s most endangered mammals, and your generosity helps protect them through exceptional care at the Center, conservation work in Madagascar, and groundbreaking scientific research. Your support keeps these remarkable animals safe, thriving, and teaching the world why they and the work of the Duke Lemur Center are important.
This year’s message includes:
❤️ a link to our 2026 Love and Lemurs Valentine Video
❤️ shareable lemur valentine images
❤️ a printable card—perfect for brightening someone’s day
If you haven’t had a chance to make your annual gift yet, Valentine’s season is a lovely time to do so. A current-year donation ensures you’ll receive this year’s Valentine message (and all the warm fuzzies that come with it) while supporting programs that safeguard the world’s most threatened primates. You can even make a gift in honor or memory of someone special.
Explore the many rewarding ways to support the Duke Lemur Center at lemur.duke.edu/donate. Ready to make a new gift? Give Now!
From all of us at the Duke Lemur Center: thank you for your friendship, generosity, and love. We can’t wait to celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing a little extra joy—with you, with our lemurs, and with the world. Peruse our website to learn more about the Duke Lemur Center’s work and explore our funding priorities.
Questions? Contact Mary Paisley, Development Director at mary.paisley@duke.edu.
