For The Big Wild, much of the conservation work we do takes place online. We can better connect Canadians across the country to specific wilderness locations in need of protection and highlight these areas using videos, infographics, soccer brackets and other tools. So it’s always a treat to hear how our campaign partners are connecting offline. Enter aboriginal leaders, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Lower Athabasca in Northern Alberta.

 

 

The Lower Athabasca is one of five regions The Big Wild is working to protect. The oil sands extraction industry operates dangerously close to this piece of wilderness. In an attempt to encourage the Alberta government to halt expansion of the oil sands further into it, First Nations, Metis elders and environmentalists organized a walk along the stretch of highway between Fort McMurray and Fort MacKay.  Over 150 people participated in the walk on Saturday, August 14th, which ended with a fabulous cook-out hosted by participating First Nations. A walk among friends, on behalf of conservation, complete with dinner and a party… now that’s the kind of offline action we like to see.

 

The Alberta government is currently developing a land-use plan that will determine what portion of the Lower Athabasca gets protected and what parts are developed for industry. The Big Wild and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society have until December 31st, 2010 to collect as many signatures as possible and present them to Alberta Premier, Ed Stelmach. The Big Wild wants to see at least 50% of the wilderness that surround the Alberta oil sands protected forever.