We protect what we love

FRIDAY . 09. 09. 22 .

Good morning and happy Friday 🌸 We hope you are all enjoying the first weeks of spring, and are soaking up the colour and beauty of the trails as the days get warmer and longer.

This week, Hilary and I have both attended the Women’s Adventure Film Tour and are both inspired by the incredible feats of women (and equally outraged at gender pay gaps and many other challenges women face). Paige is busy juggling homework and training with “making food, eating food, packing food and buying more food,” and Lauren spent the first weekend of spring training for the Gutsy Challenge with a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Towac in Orange, NSW (Wiradjuri country).

In this week’s newsletter, Hilary and I summarise some key insights from the Women’s Adventure Film Tour; raise awareness about Threatened Species Day and provide you with some practical ways to protect our beautiful wildlife; and finally, link you with information about the Great Forest Trail Run - an impact-driven challenge.

And finally - another film recommendation for you. Franklin tells the story of Oliver Cassidy, who follows in his fathers footsteps to raft the wild and majestic Franklin River in lutruwita/Tasmania. This documentary recounts the incredible Franklin Campaign, with archival footage and present-day interviews with artists and activists. The film is a true inspiration and a must see for anyone who is passionate about protecting wild places. Hilary gives it FIVE STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There are screenings nationwide, and this epic tale is best seen on the bigscreen. Watch the trailer and find a screening near you here.

Have a wonderful weekend folks, and we hope you take some time to play outside.

🌸 🌸 🌸

WOMEN’S ADVENTURE FILM TOUR

Lucy Small - an image still from Below Surface. Source

The Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2022 is a celebration of the inspiring women around us who are doing extraordinary things in the name of adventure. Being adventurous doesn't always have to mean being the fastest, going the highest, or doing the most extreme things. Adventure for most of us is stepping outside our comfort zone and climbing our own personal Everest. There are six short films that showcase real stories about women from a variety of cultures and sports around the world.

One film, Below Surface, is set in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. After winning a surf competition in 2021, and receiving a prize of less than half the male division’s award, Lucy Small courageously called out the event organisers on stage for their blatant misogyny stating “the victory is bittersweet given that women’s surfing is worth less than half of that of men.” The incident went viral and catapulted Lucy into a world of accidental fame.

All films were incredible, shedding important light on subjects like women's [lack of] media representation, gender pay discrepancies, body image and issues of equity and inclusion.

I think my biggest takeaway from the event was an educational piece from Mardi & the Whites - a film about a Black female’s relationship with the White Mountains, the great outdoors, and the community that surrounds them; and, above all, a celebration of Black liberation in the wild.

An image of Mardi. Source.

Whilst watching this film, I became very aware and self-conscious about the language that I use. As Mardi states in the film, “sayings like ‘go dominate’, ‘go crush it’, stem from white supremacy and colonialism, and the need to have power over something or own something.”

For me, this was a catalyst for deep self-reflection as, when I know that my friends are participating in a running event or even sitting a university exam, I use similar language, like “go smash it”. I would like to part ways with this language, and instead develop more holistic language, such as ‘enjoy the journey’, ‘go have fun’, ‘hope you do well’. I’m very grateful for this learning opportunity and will work at doing better.

Hilary: It was hard to choose a favourite as all films were diverse in their message and experiences. The final film, Sheri, tells the story of an incredible woman, Sheri, who started a company (after being cajoled by her son, Thor) at age 50 which revolutionised the outdoor industry. Whilst living with chronic fatigue, Sheri perseveres and achieves and explores more than she thought possible. With incredible footage from the rivers of Alaska and beyond, I am now googling packrafts and ready to take to the water!

To find a screening near you, head to the event website. To watch it from the comfort of your couch, it will be available to stream (along with past film tours) via Adventure+ shortly. A huge thank you to our friends at Adventure Entertainment for allowing us to be a part of these screenings!

🧗🏽‍♀️ 🚵🏽 🛶 🏄🏿‍♀️ 🏂

THREATENED SPECIES DAY

7 September 2022

National Threatened Species Day is commemorated across the country on 7 September to raise awareness of flora and fauna at risk of extinction.

Australia is home to more than 500,000 plant and animal species - that’s about 10% of the world’s biodiversity. However, Australia has the world’s highest rate of mammal extinction and has already lost 34 mammals that were found nowhere else on earth. In NSW alone, about 1,000 plants and animals are at risk of extinction. Introduced species, such as cats and foxes, as well as unchecked deforestation and habitat destruction, are the driving forces behind threatened and extinct species.

Why is this day so important?

Helping people understand the problems that cause plants and animals to become extinct can help us effectively manage threatened species in New South Wales. Being aware of how our actions can increase the risk of species loss and curbing these activities will support conservation efforts to prevent species from becoming extinct in the wild.

Whilst threatened species day is a time for mourning, it’s also a time to reflect on ways that we can protect our beautiful wildlife (both animals and plant species), as well as celebrate the individuals and communities that are working to raise awareness and protect our species (I’m looking at you Erchana).

How you can take action (it’s never too late)

Transform yourself into a threatened species

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has launched hundreds of augmented reality (AR) filters, games and stickers on Instagram and Facebook for you to explore. It’s easy to get involved: simply open the Instagram or Facebook app and search for ‘Saving our Species’ to find our stickers and filters.

Report a sighting

If you’ve spotted a threatened animal or plant, report the sighting, as it can help conservationists better understand and manage the species. You can report some species on your smartphone via the I Spy Koala app or FrogID app; to the Environment line; and report sightings of flying-foxes on powerlines to iNaturalist.

Download the Threatened Species Day Guide

This guide is intended to help community organisations, schools and businesses to host an event to increase awareness about the plight of threatened plants, animals and birds in their local area. You can download the guide here.

GREAT FOREST TRAIL MARATHON

The lush, wild trails of the Great Forest. Source

In partnership with Patagonia, the Great Forest Trail Marathon is a trail running event that traverses the majestic forests of the Yarra Ranges and Central Highlands. 120 runners will have the opportunity to participate in an impact-driven challenge, with the goal of collectively raising $120,000 to help establish the Great Forest National Park and protect the biodiversity and cultural significance of the region.

Whilst runners can choose from one of two trail runs - 22kms or 44kms - the Great Forest Trail Marathon offers so much more than running. The experience is about connecting with Country and listening to the wisdom of the forests. The day will feature a welcome to Country, talks about the importance of safeguarding Country and establishing the national park, and the opportunity to connect with passionate runners and volunteers.

You can learn more about the event here, and sign up here to be a runner. The For Wild Places team will be there hosting an aid station - if you'd like to join us at the event as a volunteer, please reach out!

🌲 🏃🏽‍♀️🌲

That’s all from us today, folks! Thank you for being a valued part of our community - we are loving being able to get out there more and meet the people that are supporting the growth of For Wild Places.

Until next week, take it easy, enjoy watching flowers bloom as we transition into spring and play safe out on the trails. And, as always, thank you for taking the time to support wild places!

Elanor & the For Wild Places team

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UPCOMING EVENTS

20/09 A night of Action For Earth, Melborune/Naarm | register

08/10 Trail First Aid Course, Arthurs Seat | register

16/10 TRS Silvan | event info

11/02 Trail First Aid Course, Arthurs Seat | register



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 Gadigal lands. To these people, we pay our respects.

Always was, always will be.