We protect what we love

FRIDAY . 29. 07. 22 .

Good morning and happy Friday!

A lot of our team members have been pretty busy this week. Paige has landed in Durango to attend the Footprints running camp. Liz has been doing some pretty long runs and clocking up big k's in preparation for Sunny Coast Marathon. And Will has been getting to know a new little human...

We’d love to say a huge congratulations to Will and his partner Jess for welcoming Gus into the world - their first child. Both Jess and Gus are doing well, and to quote Will “There’s been lots of moments of joy in getting to know this little person. We’re so happy he’s here.”

Last week, we spoke to Josh Wiffen who recently completed the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. In this week’s newsletter, we provide you with a summary of the conversation and link you to the full video. There's also an invitation to join us for a 'Crew Chat', in which we'll take you through our 2022 Strategy and give you some opportunities to join us on the journey. We also provide you with some facts about Malabar Headland National Park, located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. And finally, get you excited for AWEgust! 🤗

Enjoy the weekend 🙂

TRAIL CHAT #3

Josh Wiffen on Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run

Josh joined us from a train toilet in Portland, U.S, to chat all things trail, injury and pushing the limits of what the human body can do.

When not running in one of the most prestigious trail races, Josh is a community worker and artist, dabbling in mural work, paintings and installations. He’s also part of the Seacliff Coasters and Woolongong distance running club.

In this Trail Chat, Josh talks about how he went from outdoor fitness classes to running 100 miles (obviously not overnight), and believes that anyone who is physically capable is able to achieve these distances if you build up to it.

Josh completed the 100km UTA as a qualifying race, threw his hat into the WSER lottery draw, and happened to get in the first time round (I’m a tad jealous).

During this chat, Josh talks about the Aussie camaraderie on the start line, his experience at his first international event, the ‘dauntingness’ of the overall experience, the extra stresses racing in a different country and the benefits of being able to ‘throw anything into my gut’.

You can watch the full chat here.

🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 🏃

FWP CREW CHAT & STRATEGY LAUNCH

Join us as we launch our 2022-23 strategy

Over the past few months, the FWP team have been collaborating and connecting to set our goals and strategy for the coming financial year. We've accomplished a lot in the ~2 years we've been running (pun intended); a lot of which is behind-the-scenes stuff, to create a legitimate not-for-profit, with the aim to become a registered charity in the near future.

Not only are we excited to share our 2022 Strategy with you all, but we'd also love your ideas and input. On Wednesday 10th August, we are inviting you to join us for a ‘Crew Chat’, in which we delve into our strategy further, and present to you a range of ways that you can be involved. There are zero expectations - if you just want to sticky beak, awesome. If you are inspired, fantastic - we can find a way for you to be involved!

Part jobs fair, part brainstorm, part catch up, we hope this chat will tap into the incredible, accomplished and experienced crew within our community, who have the skills that we need. If you're interested, please register to attend, and we will be in touch with more details in the lead up to August 10.

And finally, if you're after some further reading, you can also check out our Running towards 2026 document, which outlines our longer-term vision and Theory of Change.

We are incredibly excited to share this document with you. Any feedback you have can be sent through by simply replying to this email - we welcome your thoughts.

Register to Attend

🙌🏽 📣 🙌🏽

Week 11: Malabar Headland.

Coastal views from the headland.

Given the amount of rain that Sydney has, yet again, received this week, I decided to steer clear of the trails and keep this week’s training close to home. I ran Malabar Headland National Park - an out-and-back run from my place in the City.

Malabar Headland National Park is part of the traditional land of the Bidjigal and Gadigal people and is a Bora ground for Aboriginal people. The word Bora is used throughout Eastern Australia to describe an initiation site or ceremony.

Located to the south of Maroubra beach, Malabar Headland is an area of national significance for its natural and cultural values. It is home to the most diverse and highest quality area of coastal bushland in the Sydney region supporting over 283 endemic native plant species and more than 200 bird species. It also contains the last known population of the once extensive Port Jackson mallee in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Malabar Headland is home to many dramatic sea cliffs, sandstone escarpments and remnants of aeolian sand dunes. These were believed to have been formed as a result of the last major glacial period. Source.

Pests and weeds have a significant impact on the ecosystems within Malabar Headland National Park. National Parks and Wildlife Services, in conjunction with the community group Friends of Malabar Headland, carry out regular works to protect biodiversity in the park.

If you’re ever visiting Sydney, I’d highly recommend bypassing Bondi and heading to Maroubra, where you can be swimming one minute, and walking along a beautiful coastal National Park the next (or maybe 15 mins later). During the whale watching season, you might even spot a whale or two on their annual migration.

🏖 🐋 🏖

AWE-GUST

Share your AWEsome moments during AWEgust

Next month, we are excited to be celebrating AWEgust! For 31 days, we'd love you to join us in sharing photos or videos via socials of a moment, place or person that filled you with awe. We want to celebrate the incredible wild places and people that we love to explore and explore with. There are so many incredible things, big and small, that bring a smile to our faces. Share with us the story behind the moment, and what made it so special.

Tag @forwildplaces and go in the draw to win a weekly FWP Gift Pack. Each weekly winner will go into the draw for a FWP Membership Pack, which will be decided by you, our community at the end of AWEgust.  Content can be shared on Facebook or Instagram, on stories or as a post. We may ask for the original image to review and share for weekly prizes.

We can't wait to share some awe-inspiring moments with you!

🤗 💛 🤗

Take some time to get outside, find inner peace and awe on the trails and we'll catch you next week.

And, as always, thank you for taking the time to support wild places!

Elanor & 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 email was written on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. To these people, we pay our respects.

Always was, always will be.