Growing up in Southern…

Growing up in Southern Ontario, I discovered my love of the outdoors through rock climbing. It was because of the access to local crags that allowed me to connect with natural spaces, eventually pursuing career paths in ecological conservation, outdoor education and nature-connection. I am now an avid rock climber and route developer in North-western Ontario, and I strive to be as minimal as possible in my impact to the environment and aware of unique species and areas of concern.

By excluding rock climbing from provincial parks, we are denying many Ontarians the opportunity to form a connection to natural spaces. We are not prioritizing the well-researched mental/physical health benefits of outdoor recreation. We are not fostering a community of outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this will lead to other provinces that have adopted a more progressive, inclusive co-management approach with rock climbers, to have greater outdoor community and thus more support for their provincial park systems. Ontario is way behind in this regard and it's time we follow suit to promote sustainable rock climbing development. The amendment for Devil's Glen is a powerful small step forward that could lead to amazing things for the future of sustainable and supported outdoor recreation, parks and tourism in Ontario.