For two-time Olympian and long-time Canmore resident Sara Renner, her belief that Canada’s greatest asset is its wild spaces was reinforced while skiing in British Columbia.
She found the once pristine landscape was scarred by development.
“I was shocked and felt it was such a loss,” emphasizes Sara. “I left inspired to protect the special places in my own backyard.
“Living next to Banff National Park, a placed loved by many, I feel we have a huge responsibility to our children, to ourselves, to do something big, bold and beautiful,” she says. “That’s giving our wildlife a chance to connect, from Yellowstone to Yukon.”
Sara credits the work of visionaries such as Prime Minister John A. Macdonald who realized early on how important it was to protect nature, designating Banff National Park as Canada’s first such space in 1885.
“Today, we need to continue such legacies and consider what we need 150 years from now,” she urges.
Inspired to do more after her “wake-up call” but limited in time, the busy mother of three gave in the way that made sense for her: monthly donations.
“I think it’s important to give in the ways you can. If you can’t give your time, donating to an organization like Y2Y supports the on-the-ground efforts of people thinking of wildlife’s best interests.”
