Lace up for nature! - Kitchen Garden Magazine

The Wildlife Trusts are challenging nature lovers to join the Big Wild Walk this October and raise money to help protect Britain’s wild places. Funds raised will contribute towards The Wildlife Trusts’ goal of protecting and connecting 30% of UK’s land and sea for nature by 2030.

The Wildlife Trusts are undertaking a raft of projects to reverse alarming declines in wildlife and tackle the climate crisis – from restoring peatlands, chalk grasslands and sand dunes, to bringing back beavers and protecting red squirrels. Participants can create their own challenge, or use the number 30 as inspiration to:

– Walk 30 minutes every day during the Big Wild Walk week – 24 to 30 October
– Walk 30 km in three days
– Walk 30 km in one day
– Children can try the Hedgehog Challenge to walk 3km – the same distance a hedgehog can cover in a night.

The Wildlife Trusts’ supporters, Maddie Moate and Iolo Williams, who are known for championing nature and wildlife on television, are backing this year’s challenge. Iolo Williams, Vice-President of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Autumn is a brilliant time to get outside, enjoy a little adventure and marvel at the wonder of our natural world. Best of all, by signing up to the Big Wild Walk you can help nature too. Public support is crucial for getting projects off the ground that protect, create, and restore precious wild places. I hope many of you can join us in October.”

Maddie Moate, Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says: “We all need to do our bit to help nature and what better way than setting yourself a challenge outdoors. For me, autumn is all about getting outside and enjoying the kaleidoscope of colour on the trees – it’s something I look forward to every year. Spending time in nature is proven to boost our own health and happiness too, so get your best walking shoes out and get involved!”

Funds raised from the Big Wild Walk will go directly towards nature recovery projects such as beaver and water vole reintroductions, restoring wildflower meadows, and planting seagrass.

The Big Wild Walk takes place during half term – from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 October 2022. wildlifetrusts.org/bigwildwalk

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Tony Flanagan

Tony Flanagan is Kitchen Garden’s staff writer. He has been an enthusiastic grower of fruit and veg for many years. His favourite things to grow are peppers (sweet and chllli), tomatoes, herbs and beans. When he is not gardening or not writing about gardening, he is an avid Wolverhampton Wanderers fan. 07587038039 | [email protected]