Imagine swimming across Algonquin Park

Starting this Saturday, July 25, two Ontario women, aided by four backcountry support crew, will be the first to swim across Algonquin Park. Kim Valenta and Nora Livingstone will cover over 60 kilometers and 25 lakes of Ontario’s wild backcountry to raise support for Toronto Wildlife Centre. Their route starts at Park Lake, near the West Gate just off Hwy 60, and follows a chain of lakes that includes popular canoe trip lakes like Ragged, Big Porcupine, Louisa, Rock and Galeairy.

Kim and Nora, when not swimming

In 2008, Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC), a wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre, reached a milestone: over 50,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals had been admitted for medical care since the centre first opened in 1993. Kim and Nora, both employees at TWC, decided to be the first to swim across Algonquin Park – long a symbol of Ontario’s wilderness - in recognition of this. Their goal is to raise support for and awareness of this indispensable organization. It is their hope, with the help of sponsors, to raise $25,000 for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

With logistical support provided by Algonquin Outfitters, Swim for the Wild will begin July 25th at the Westernmost point of Highway 60 in Algonquin Park, and will end over one week later in Whitney, just outside of the eastern boundary of Algonquin Park.

For more information, please contact:
Kim Valenta
Founder, Swim for the Wild
416-631-0662 Extension 3205
admin at torontowildlifecentre dot com

PS to my faithful readers: sorry for my long absence from the Blogosphere. I will try to get a few more entries in for August. The good news is that we are really busy! If you haven't already, take a look at our snazzy new website.