The Alberta Wilderness Association has launched a special challenge in honour of its 60th anniversary.
Founded in 1965, the AWA works to inspire Albertans to care for the province’s wild spaces.
The organization, based in Calgary, is celebrating six decades with ‘What’s Your 60?’ – a year-long nature-based challenge centred on the number 60.
Examples listed on the AWA’s website include pledging to pick up 60 pieces of litter at a local park, sleeping in a tent for 60 nights or spending 60 hours meditating in nature.
“We have some people are writing 60 letters to government about the wilderness, there’s lots of hiking and biking and skiing going on, and there’s folks who are doing wilderness art,” said AWA spokesperson Lindsey Wallis.
The organization had a humble beginning around a kitchen table with a group of like-minded individuals who shares a passion for the wilderness and protecting it.
Wallis says they recognized 60 years ago that industry, tourism and recreational groups had the ear of the government – but no one was speaking on behalf of the province’s natural spaces. and thus, the AWA was founded.
“AWA is a voice for wilderness,” Wallis said. “We’ve been a voice for 60 years.”
“Our voice becomes stronger the larger the membership behind us is, and so it is absolutely crucial that we have members speaking on behalf of the wilderness.
“Our volunteers are also so crucial to get the word out about how important our wild spaces, wild waters and wildlife are.”
Jamie Jack started volunteering with the organization in 2010 and has since become a board member.
“I think that there are different volunteer opportunities for everyone,” she said. “And this ‘What’s Your 60?’ campaign is opening up those for everyone of all ages and abilities.”
Jack has committed to hiking 60 minutes every month, cross-country skiing 60 kilometres and biking 60 Alberta trails in 2025.
“When I get out in nature, I create a connectedness and appreciation for the rich biodiversity that we have in Alberta,” she said.
“I think that it inspires a sense of stewardship for conserving wild Alberta.0 I understand that the wilderness we have now is all we shall ever have, and so I hope that we can continue defending Wild Alberta for another 60 years.”
Kelsie Joad grew up in Calgary and has been a member of AWA for a few years.
“I’m excited about my 60 – it’s to visit 60 City of Calgary parks (out of 75). I’ve done six or seven so far this month,” she said.
Kelsie says she’d also like to see and take pictures of 60 wildflowers and has signed up with a group to go on 60 hikes.
Melba Seto, meanwhile, is the woman behind that award-winning business called Bowness Soapworks & Seto Pottery.
She is in the early stages of designing hand-crafted mugs with the AWA logo and a big number 60 for people who complete the ‘What’s Your 60?’ challenge.
“A lot of these nonprofit organizations don’t have the marketing power, it’s people power,” she said. “So, if we have each other to talk about things and to spread the word and awareness, that is the greatest gift you can give each other.”
To register for the challenge you can visit the AWA’s website.
