British Columbians of all ages participated in
the inaugural climb on Sunday to protect BC's
biodiversity.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 27, 2024
/CNW/ - Hundreds of people, from five to 70 years old, climbed up,
down and around the stands of BC Place stadium on Sunday when World
Wildlife Fund Canada brought its famous Climb for Nature event to
Vancouver for the first time in
the event's history.
The fundraiser attracted families, nature-lovers and fitness
enthusiasts, including Olympic silver medalist Jason Burnett, to help conserve
biodiversity by climbing the 3,000-step single bowl or
6,000-step double bowl.
"We had hundreds of people show up, we raised tens of thousands
of dollars, and we made a lot of new friends here. It was a really
inspiring day and we're already thinking about next year," says
Megan Leslie, WWF-Canada president
and CEO who climbed the stadium stands alongside
supporters.
"We're working to protect and restore habitat throughout the
province, from the north coast to the Lower Fraser to interior
BC. We're working to help southern resident killer whales, we're
restoring habitat for salmon and that helps bears, sea wolves and
eagles. We're so proud of the work that we're doing in BC, and
we're really proud of how many people showed up today to support
it."
Cheering them all on was Don
Andrews, voice of the Vancouver Whitecaps and BC Lions.
WWF's giant panda mascot was also in attendance, energizing the
crowd and taking photos with excited participants.
The WWF Climb for Nature x BC Place is an expansion of the
famous CN Tower Climb for Nature, which began 32 years ago. Over
the course of the event's history, tens of thousands of people have
climbed the skyscraper's 1,776 steps and raised millions of dollars
for wildlife conservation. In its first year, B.C. climbers raised
$50,000 and counting.
"Conservation is a collaborative sport, and every dollar
counts," Scott Sandison,
WWF-Canada's VP of Community & Legacy Giving and former Team
Canada Olympian. "The support of climbers, donors and our
volunteers will make a significant impact on the conservation of
wildlife and habitats — both here in BC and throughout Canada."
Shaun Stephens-Whale, a tower
runner and obstacle course racer from Squamish, B.C., had the fastest time of the
day, completing the 3,000-step single bowl climb in 11 minutes and
23 seconds. Stephens-Whale also holds the record for WWF's CN Tower
Climb for Nature with 9 minutes and 54 seconds.
Learn more about WWF-Canada's Climb for Nature, or to donate to
WWF-Canada's conservation efforts here.
What the WWF Climb for Nature funds:
Funds raised for the WWF-Canada Climb for Nature support efforts
in BC, and throughout Canada, to
bring back nature, reverse wildlife loss, and fight climate change.
Learn more about WWF-Canada's 10-year plan to Regenerate Canada
here.
Photos, footage and interviews:
- 2024 Climb for Nature x BC Place
- BC wildlife photos: https://we.tl/t-LOTUpZ2JTK
About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation
actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss, and fight
climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous
guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a
future where wildlife, nature, and people thrive. For more
information visit wwf.ca
SOURCE World Wildlife Fund Canada