Get your boots on for beavers! It’s time to walk for wildlife and show you care about the extinction crisis with The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wild Walk, 26 October to 1 November.

The Wildlife Trusts are asking nature-lovers to fundraise to help raise vital money for their 30 by 30 projects that will restore 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

Get fit, have fun and raise money for wildlife! Invite the family to join in, set up a remote relay with friends or take the challenge yourself. Indoors or outdoors, front room, park or wood, treadmill or track – the choice is yours.

The Wildlife Trusts has just launched 30 by 30, a public appeal to raise £30 million to start putting nature into recovery across at least 30% of land and sea by 2030. The kinds of local charity projects that will receive donations include:

• Restoring degraded peatlands to help them lock-in carbon to tackle climate change
• Bringing back beavers, to help create healthier habitats for wildlife, improve water quality and to reduce flooding
• Creating new wild places near to where people live, to help nature recover and to improve people’s lives.

Dr Amir Khan, GP and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“Do join in the Big Wild Walk from The Wildlife Trusts, perfect just as the leaves are turning from green to red and gold. Autumn is a magical time when you get to experience the full majesty of the natural world. You may even be lucky enough to see some wildlife making final preparations before winter.

“I know that at this time of year we can put off going for a walk, jog or run. The excuses come quick and fast, ‘the clouds look menacing’, ‘it’s raining’ or ‘it will be dark soon’. We have all used these excuses, myself included! Why don’t you challenge yourself to get outside and in the process raise some much-needed funds for The Wildlife Trusts? Funds from the Big Wild Walk will go towards their 30 by 30 campaign that aims to put nature into recovery and protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. If we all work together and put our best foot forwards, we can do so much to support the natural world around us.

“If you are going for a walk outdoors, why don’t you make it a brisk walk? This way you get the benefits of being out in nature as well as the cardiovascular benefits of getting your heart rate up – good for you, and good for nature!”

Sophie Pavelle, zoologist and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“Last year, Hannah Stitfall and I set off on our Hike for Nature, walking 300 miles of the South West Coastal Path. So many of you wanted to join us, that's why I am so excited about the Big Wild Walk from The Wildlife Trusts. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country you can still take part. Sign up, choose your challenge, get some sponsorship and off you go! Keep your eyes peeled whilst you are out and about as you never know what you might see! If you need them, there are also some fantastic spotter guides available so you can identify what you see! Good luck. I'm going to get prepared to scurry like a hedgehog!”

Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust encourage you to get outdoors and experience the wonders of Autumn; all in support of the preservation and protection of our wildlife and wild places! 

We have 35 beautiful reserves that you can visit to keep up your step count for The Big Wild Walk. Whether you want to slowly stroll with family or enjoy a more active brisk walk. Whatever challenge and pace you choose, it will all be for a good cause; the protection of wildlife and our planet. 

Sign up now