We like to think outside is free. It isn't. If we want to continue to benefit from Mother Nature's wonder, we must first invest in its future. If we want to continue to chase alternative paths tomorrow, we must answer the call for help today. We must do what we can with what we have to protect and preserve the natural and wild spaces we cherish.
We don't have the solution, but by educating ourselves and others with direct insights from experts in their field, we hope cycling communities around the world can become informed of the issues our beautiful habitats are facing now, and in an uncertain future to come.
With that aim, we kickstarted the Help Wanted program with a series of recon rides with local groups that sought to shine a light on the environmental issues that require real change right now. The first three locations took us to the parklands of British Columbia, the glaciers in Iceland and the wilds of Tasmania. Here's a recap of the rides and the prevalent issues the not-for-profit groups encountered, each receiving grant support from MAAP and an activated cycling community ready to rally to the cause.
British Columbia, Canada
with BC Parks Foundation
We rode into the heartlands of BC's finest parks with DIVERSION, a club cycling concept from Enroute.cc. Supporting BC Parks Foundation, working to protect, enhance and sustain British Columbia's parks, while inspiring and connecting people to them.
As the BC Parks set out, we are in a critical decade to address climate change, biodiversity loss, indigenous reconciliation, and human health. Globally, British Columbia is significant, with some of the last large tracts of wilderness in the world's temperate zone. From the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, BC is also home to a stunning array of biodiversity, including migratory species, at-risk species, and 70% of Canada's native mammal and bird species.
At the same time, the use of parks and protected areas is expanding. It is critical that communities continue to find new ways to be inclusive and to promote responsible and safe enjoyment of parks, or we risk destroying the places we treasure and enjoy. Learn how you can participate in keeping British Columbia beautiful and clean for generations to come at https://bcparksfoundation.ca/.
Reykjavík, Iceland
with The Iceland Glaciological Society (JÖRFÍ)
The Okjokull, known locally as "Ok", is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier, with all others in Iceland expected to follow the same fate. With adventure photographer Chris Burkard, athlete Briet Kristy, Emil Thor and the team at Kria Cycles, we set out on a multi-day ride to experience its raw beauty and show why it's important to strive to preserve natural spaces like the Okjokull for future generations to experience.
In support of Iceland's remaining glaciers, MAAP also partnered with JÖRFÍ, a local Icelandic non-profit, to further their work in glacier research and civic engagement around Iceland's glaciers. Visit https://jorfi.is/ to learn more about the association's aims of promoting glacier research and travel on Iceland's glaciers. You can also access their magazine Jökul, subscribe to their newsletter, and attend future lectures and photo exhibitions that showcase their work to the broadest possible audience.
Tasmania, Australia
with the Bob Brown Foundation
Photographer Andy Rogers tours the world at some of the biggest cycling events on the planet. Closer to home, Andy captured the ancient forests, mountains, and coastline of takayna, urgently requiring protection as a World Heritage-listed National Park, which has returned to Aboriginal ownership. Not only does takayna serve as Australia's largest temperate rainforest and the second largest in the world, it's also home to many rare and endangered species. This includes the Tasmanian Devil, the Tasmanian Masked Owl and the world's largest freshwater invertebrate, the Giant Tasmanian Freshwater Crayfish.
The foundation's focus is as broad as it is comprehensive. It takes direct action by organizing protests and scientific, cultural, and adventure events. Learn how you can lend support to tackling a series of issues, including logging and deforestation, mining threats, and the overall promotion of World Heritage values, at https://bobbrown.org.au/.
Nominate our next stop -
These rides and issues are only the beginning. The scale of the challenge of ongoing environmental aggressors can often seem overwhelming, but with the help of others, small actions can make a big difference.
With that in mind, we want to hear from you. Contact us to nominate your own local activist groups, community leaders and areas of natural beauty that need help. If you have an area under threat that could benefit from preservation and grant support, contact HelpNature@MAAP.cc. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on future Help Wanted rides and initiatives coming soon.
