Naturally Inclusive: Celebrating Pride in the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark

June is celebrated as Pride month across Canada, and here within the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, it is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on what it means to truly belong to a landscape and a community. This year, we introduced two guided Pride Hikes for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies, intentionally designing spaces where diversity, nature, and community could be celebrated as one.

Our first excursion took place on June 22nd in Victoria Park, located in the heart of Truro, where hikers gathered under the canopy to journey toward the rushing waters of Joe Howe and Waddell Falls. Our second hike kicked off from the bandstand in Parrsboro, leading a vibrant group to the serene tucked-away beauty of Hidden Falls. Along the trails, Geopark geoscientist Caleb Grant shared the fascinating geological forces that carved these ancient waterfalls, bridging the story of our Earth with the stories of the people walking upon it.

Over 25 participants joined us across both events, beautifully illustrating the local desire for outdoor activities that foster deep community connection. These hikes were made possible through meaningful collaborations with Truro Pride, Cumberland Pride, and Hike Nova Scotia. Together, our organizations understand that Pride isn't confined to a single month on the calendar; it is an ongoing, daily commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces in the outdoors.

Because the Cliffs of Fundy is a UNESCO Global Geopark, our community programming is intentionally mapped to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). By hosting inclusive hikes that promote barrier-free access to nature, we are actively honouring our collective responsibility to support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

When we care for each other, we strengthen our collective capacity to care for the land. We encourage everyone to follow these incredible partner organizations on social media platforms for upcoming events and opportunities to get outside. Happy Pride, everyone!