We protect what we love

FRIDAY . 10 . 12 . 21 .

Hello fellow outdoor lovers! I’m Lara and I’ll be hosting this weeks For Wild Places Newsletter.

I grew up in Sydney, Australia, where I was lucky to be brought up playing in the ocean, going on bush walks and taking regular trips to ski in Kosciuszko National Park. It fostered my love for wild places from a young age, and sparked my interest in trail running which I am still pursuing today. 

Growing up in a city that has close access to so many beautiful wild places, such as the Blue Mountains to the west, the Royal National Park to the south, and the coastline spotted with beaches juxtaposed to the nearby concrete jungle of the City of Sydney highlighted the need to protect the few remaining wild places. I believe as outdoor enthusiasts that it is our duty to educate and practice sustainable decisions and habits. We have to do this because we need healthy environments to be able to enjoy the outdoors, and as regular users of the outdoor environment for resources and recreation, we have to make sure that these places are protected in the long term.

Running in the rugged and sunburnt Red Rock Canyon, Nevada.

Since joining the For Wild Places team as a writer and content creator I have learnt more about how we can use sport as a way to unite the community to protect wild places. For example, the upcoming Pilliga Ultra (6k, 20k and 50k distances available) to be held on Saturday 26th March 2021. This new Australian ultra event is hosted by FWP and The Wilderness Society to fight for the protection of the Pilliga Forest, a rare temperate eucalypt forest in NSW.

MY INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE RECOMMENDATION

Pack a hiking pack and visit the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho.

The Sawtooth Mountains are hands down one of my favourite places to run, and also host some pretty awesome camping spots far from crowds paired with guaranteed views. Make sure you have planned your route before you go, have let others know your expected timeline for any hike/fast-pack/run adventure, are aware of the terrain and wildlife, and pack adequate supplies. You can get quite far off the beaten track, but it makes for all the more adventure. These mountains are known as the sawtooths for a reason - the rocks at the peaks are sharp like teeth, imposing above an abundance of mountain lakes and pine forests. 

I can’t wait to get back there, potentially for some nordic skiing/ski touring in winter and some trail running in the summer of 2022. It’s only a 2 hour drive from home, so there’s no excuses! 

WHAT I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO

The Athlete Climate Academy with Kilian Jornet and Hum James

Every passionate outdoor athlete should make sure they give at least one episode of Athlete Climate Academy a listen. Huw and Kilian have explored so many sub-topics in the very large and sometimes overwhelming topic of climate change, so there’s something for everyone and every interest. A personal favourite was episode 4, where Kilian discussed Snow Algae with Eric Maréchal. It really opened my eyes to the impact of human activities at a microscopic level on climate. 

The Athlete Climate Academy Podcast is great, and you can tune in to an episode (or 3!) via Spotify or Apple podcast.

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING

Tools for grassroots activists by Nora Gallagher & Lisa Myers

I picked up this Patagonia book in Yamba, a surf town on the far north coast of NSW, just before my big journey back to the US. I saw it on the shelf of a local surf store and it drew me right in as it discusses activism through mediums such as marketing and writing - two areas which I’m pursuing at present. 

I think it’s important to find out how we can use our skills to create better environmental habits and further education of the wider community. I have figured out how to utilise marketing and running...my next challenge will be music (I studied music for my undergrad and postgrad degrees)! Utilise your digital platforms to speak up about protecting wild places, sustainable habits, and leading by example. Make the changes in your life, in your industry’s field, and ask others to follow suit.

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING

Moving back to Boise, Idaho and reconnecting with the trail running community. 

I have just made quite a big move back to Boise, Idaho (USA) from Australia for work and to follow my passions in trail and mountain running. I spent the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2021 studying music performance at Boise State University and running in the NCAA (the college athletic system in America).

I loved the community around sports and the ease of access to wild places in Boise, so having the opportunity to live and work in the town post-school is amazing. I can’t wait to start competing in 2022 and continuing to write and spread the word of FWP from abroad.

You can see more from Lara at @lara_hamilton or read her

latest article on Runners Tribe.

Thanks again for taking the time to follow along and join the community at For Wild Places.

🙏🏻 🙏🏼 🙏🏽 🙏🏾 🙏🏿

Lara and the For Wild Places team.

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We acknowledge the the First Nations people who have been custodians of land, waters and culture for tens of thousands of years. We pay respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging.

This newsletter was written in the United States. The Boise Valley Shoshone and Bannock tribes lived in the area now known as Boise and have never relinquished title to the land. Their ancestors inhabited the land years before any Europeans came near it.

This newsletter was compiled on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

To these people, we pay our respects.

Always was, always will be.

By For Wild Places

We're a group of adventurers who love to

protect wild places we run on