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The second annual Glacier Ride, a charitable bike ride put on by Climate Ride, began on Tuesday. A group of 17 people from across the country departed from West Glacier on a 250-mile ride that will take the group through the park. All riders are sponsored and proceeds from the ride will benefit the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the nonprofit fundraising arm of the park.

Climate Ride, which hosts charitable bike rides nationwide, is committed to conservation and the environment.

“The whole idea is to connect people to the landscape while raising funds to benefit the park,” said Climate Ride co-Founder and Executive Director Caeli Quinn.

Though riders can direct the funds raised on other rides to any of the 200 beneficiary organizations that Climate Ride partners with, funds raised by Glacier Ride participants are automatically directed to Glacier National Park Conservancy.

Last year’s inaugural Glacier Ride funded programs geared towards sustainable transportation, including a bike safety corridor, bike shuttles, bike safety and directional signage, bike racks, and a bike use study in the park.

Vehicle- supported camping, including gear and meals for the trip as well as other aid was provided by Glacier Guides. The group stopped in Apgar on July 5, before continuing on to St. Mary, Waterton and Browning. The group returned to West Glacier on July 10. The group of riders attended speaking events on the topics of sustainability during the ride.

“Everyone is watching Glacier to see how they address sustainability issues,” Quinn said. “When we have a chance to do something here, there is a ripple effect across the National Parks.”

Glacier National Park Conservancy has identified around 40 projects that will be benefitted by the Glacier Ride, according to Nikki Eisinger, the Conservancy’s Director of Development. These projects are valued at an estimated $2 million. This year, the grant will likely go towards renewable energy projects.

Ongoing funding for Glacier’s educational programming and tribal outreach programs is also a priority. Projects in their second year often need funding to maintain momentum gathered during their first year, Eisinger said, though the allocation of funds will ultimately depend on how much money is raised by the ride.