Alberta Wilderness Association is almost halfway through our 60th anniversary, and Albertans are showing how much they care for Wild Alberta — over 30 people have registered to take on “What’s Your 60?,” our nature challenge based around the number 60. The ideas participants have come up with are wildly creative and personal.
“The idea of this challenge is for folks to find something that inspires them about Wild Alberta and encourage them to explore it more deeply in 2025,” says Lindsey Wallis, AWA’s Adventures for Wilderness coordinator.
“We have families who want to get out in nature 60 times this year, either in the city or further afield. There are people writing poems, taking photos and painting. Some people are doing one big adventure like a 60-kilometre trail run, while others are doing 60 hiking or biking trails over the year. Two folks are writing letters to their elected officials, and some others are using this challenge as the impetus to plant more native species in their gardens. It’s really whatever speaks to you!”
Amana Konnik has challenged herself to visit 60 central Alberta lakes and hike 60 kilometres on her own. She hopes to inspire other women, especially women of colour to confidently explore Wild Alberta solo.
“I’ve always had a deep passion for Alberta’s wilderness,” says Konnik. Things like moss on trees, mushrooms, logs that look like fairy homes, and beaver dams are just some of the things that have captured her imagination.
“This challenge is an opportunity to share that passion and hopefully inspire others to get outside and explore. Because once you experience it for yourself you can’t help but want to do everything in your power to protect it. One of the things I’ve discovered is the endless possibilities of our wilderness. The more I pay attention, the more I realize the endless beauty and complexity of nature.”
Kelsie Joad is exploring nature close to home with a goal of visiting 60 City of Calgary parks in 2025 and hiking 60 trails with her hiking group, “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Flask.” She has explored 25 Calgary parks so far and has discovered hidden gems like Strathcona Park, as well as places like Battalion Park and Old Refinery Park, which connected her with Calgary’s history and inspired her to do more research.
“I LOVE challenges like this,” she says. “I am a huge believer in living intentionally and being curious about life, people, places, and seeing familiar places in a new way.”
Studies have shown the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, and Joad says this challenge has helped her find the motivation to get outside.
“City Parks are places I can fit into my schedule without having to plan a day away or put too much thought into packing,” she says. “I want other people to see that there are pretty amazing natural areas right inside the city if you have the eyes and mindset to see them.”
With summer just beginning, there is still plenty of time to join the adventure!
Can’t join a challenge? You can support other’s efforts by visiting their page on the AWA website and sponsoring someone else! All donations go to AWA to help protect Wild Alberta.
AWA was founded in 1965 around a kitchen table by a group of individuals concerned about what was happening to Alberta’s wilderness. Since then, AWA has spent 60 years inspiring Albertans to care about wild places and expanding the province’s protected areas network.
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