That monstrous machine of industry and corporate greed might sometimes feel like too much for us as individuals to battle. However, a bunch of Canadian citizens have just shown what a committed group of people can do.
In the first crowdfunding effort of this kind, Canadians raised $3 million to purchase a stretch of coastal wilderness in British Columbia to save it from development. The 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of pristine coastline in the Princess Louisa Inlet on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast are virtually untouched. According to Upworthy, the land includes a fjord, the top rim of which branches into high alpine snowpack forming multiple dramatic waterfalls which run down the rock.
Crowdfunding efforts were organized by B.C. Parks Foundation, a non-profit group that aims to protect natural landscapes in the province. The foundation's CEO Andrew Day said that the land, currently being sold by a private owner, saw some interest from logging companies and developers. Therefore, people stepped up to stop that from happening.
And it wasn't only a handful of rich donors thatpooled their money—scores of average Canadians offered what they could to the fundraising effort.
B.C. Parks Foundation will buy the land and turn it into a protected park. The organization wrote a letter of thanks to all that donated to the fundraiser:
"Dear Park Supporters,
You did it! Your love for British Columbia and beautiful places like Princess Louisa Inlet has done something miraculous. In just a few short months, you have raised $3 million to protect a jewel in B.C'.s coast.
We still have to finalize the sale with the vendor (now September 3rd), and there are more steps to come, but in donating the funds, you have scaled a substantial peak on this incredible expedition.
We know people want to keep B.C. beautiful, and we know our parks are the core of our identity. They are our cathedrals, our towers, our pyramids; the wonders of our world. But we couldn't have predicted such a fabulous outpouring in such a short time from so many different people and places. We are in a state of awe and gratitude.
We will keep you posted when the deal is finalized. Any funds that continue to come in will be put in our Parks Bank to protect more areas in Princess Louisa and British Columbia.
With our most profound appreciation and admiration,
Ross Beaty, Board Chair
Andy Day, CEO"
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