One of the planks of our event running philosophy has always been to work with the communities in which the events occur and wherever possible offer opportunities for fundraising for both local and national community groups. Major events offer opportunities not just for local businesses to benefit but also for the numerous community groups that are often the lifeblood of towns and villages in regional areas.

Over many years we have built up strong relationships with The Volunteer Rescue Assocation of NSW and The Rural Fire Service. In some of our events we also work with the State Emergency Service. Some of the community groups we work with include local School P&C groups, local sports groups, Lions clubs, Surf clubs and cycling clubs. The likes of our Highland Fling event now raises some $40,000 for community groups involved in making it a success.

Huw Kingston, the owner of Wild Horizons has long realised that his personal passion for the outdoor environment and outdoor activities as well as the fact that Wild Horizons events and activities take place in beautiful locations, means we need to spend some time working to protect (in some cases) and advocate for access to (in other places) these places. A deep concern for the environment has also led Huw to spearhead a number of environmental campaigns that have had national and international significance. Most recently this included Bundy on Tap, an initiative to make Wild Horizons’ home town of Bundanoon, Australia’s First Bottled Water Free Town. This initiative gained huge worldwide attention. A number of awards were received for this including Huw being named by Time Magazine as one of their 25 Global Responsibility Pioneers and was selected as the news.com.au Green Hero in 2009 from over 600 nominations.

Wild Horizons works individually and with a number of groups aiming for better access for cycling and better mountain biking facilities on public lands. This includes lobbying politicians and government agencies. Groups include IMBA Australia as well as more local groups such as Highlands Trails.