28th Annual Climb for Wilderness

June 1, 2019

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Wild Lands Advocate article by: Ian Urquhart

On April 27th, your wilderness association held its annual Climb for Wilderness for the 28th time! This year we had 831 people participate in the Climb at the Bow Tower. More than 700 people registered as climbers for the 2019 Climb. Their efforts were supported by 125 volunteers, security staff, and onlookers.

Each year we seem to be increasing the number of teams that register for the Climb. This year saw a record-breaking 65 teams register to climb in the name of wilderness conservation. The top fundraising teams were the Math Mountains and Memories of Louise team and the Overend-Dibski team. Together they raised nearly $13,000.

More than 1,400 donors propelled our fundraising total to nearly $90,000. AWA will invest those gifts well in its efforts to protect the landscapes that species such as the greater sage-grouse – this year’s symbol for the Climb – depend on.

To me, the most heart-warming feature of the Climb is seeing the diversity among those who come out to support AWA’s efforts. It certainly is one of Calgary’s best “all ages” event; and, in addition, the Climb also showcases the growing ethnic and socio-economic diversity of those who treasure Alberta’s natural legacies. The three-year old I met at our wildlife display on the 54th floor last year was there again this year to see if the owl talons were still as sharp as they were in 2018. The young Indo-Canadian girl who scrutinized each part of the wildlife display so closely last year was there again to make sure we hadn’t left anything out. The families… and then there’s Dr. Richard Guy who, at 102 years young, climbed 15 flights of stairs and raised more than $5,000 for AWA.

Next year we hope you’ll help us make the 29th Climb for Wilderness even more successful. Attend the Climb as a climber or a volunteer and see if, like me, you come away from the Climb with an encouraging sense of optimism and enthusiasm.