Colin Ward
Climb for WNPF: A Cause, An Educator, and a Way Forward
Fundraising for Washington's National Park Fund
Story
Hello Friends----This past year I retired from a career that began in 1983 as a special educator, and although my professional roles have shifted and expanded over the years, I am/was a teacher. It was the ground I stood on; a ground nurtured by the enduring love of my wife, the continuous support of family, friends and colleagues...and by the solitude that comes from experiencing the outdoors. There is nothing quite like an early morning walk where the sun embarks on warming the earth and the air in my lungs. A breathing that works to lessen stress and bring my attention back to where it belongs...in the moment. where only the whispers of the trees can be heard. Maybe Terry Tempest Williams captured this best in writing:
“Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.”
To honor those moments that proved so helpful in my professional struggle to work from a place of compassion and justice, and remember to celebrate nature's inherent joy, I am embarking on a summit attempt of Forbidden Peak later summer (August). The proceeds raised from this initiative will contribute to search and rescue operations in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. In partnership with world-class International Mountain Guides, WNPF is orchestrating a unique fundraising climb of this iconic peak in the Cascades.
I am hoping you might consider being part of my climb with a donation. A small gift that acknowledges not only all that the outdoors means to you, but supports the way forward in preserving Washington's spectacular national parks. I will be providing periodic updates as I prepare for the climb. Hike on, and with thanks and gratitude....Colin