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Join the Walk for the Wild: Support National Wildlife Refuges and Protect America's Wildlife

By Katie Cavanaugh-Smith posted 10-09-2024 04:25 PM

  

Join the Walk for the Wild: Support National Wildlife Refuges and Protect America's Wildlife 

Washington D.C. — October 9, 2024 — 


Wherever you meet [the National Wildlife Refuge] sign, respect it. It means that the land behind the sign has been dedicated by the American people to preserving, for themselves and their children, as much of our native wildlife as can be retained along with our modern civilization.”

– Conservationist Rachel Carson 

 
Walk, roll or paddle to your nearest wildlife refuge during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 12-19, 2024 and join the 3rd annual
Walk for the Wild 5K Challenge.  
 
Organized by Public Lands Alliance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Walk for the Wild is a free event that invites everyone to explore their nearby nature and experience national wildlife refuges. Participants can help wildlife thrive while enjoying the personal benefits of time outside.


 
There are two ways to complete the challenge:  

·      Register for one of the scheduled 5K offerings hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a local nonprofit Refuge partner across the U.S. or  

·      Register for the Virtual Walk and walk 5Kvisit on a trail at your local wildlife refuge or wherever you feel connected to nature.  


New in 2024, Public Lands Alliance is partnering with the
AllTrails Public Lands Program to expand the breadth and impact of the 5K Challenge. AllTrails, the world’s most popular and trusted platform for outdoor exploration, is offering 40% off a new AllTrails+ membership to everyone who registers for Walk for the Wild. 

 

AllTrails+ is AllTrails’ premium membership, with additional features for an even richer trail experience, such as offline maps, 3D trail previews, wrong turn alerts, live share, and park guides.

“Wildlife refuges offer incredible opportunities to enhance your own health and well-being while observing wildlife in their native habitat,” noted Dan Puskar, President and CEO of Public Lands Alliance. “We, along with our nonprofit Refuge partners and
our friends at the AllTrails Public Lands Program, are thrilled to invite everyone to have that experience through the Walk for the Wild 5K Challenge.”
 
“AllTrails’ partnership with Public Lands Alliance and America’s Wildlife Refuges is designed to help people find their way outside and authentically connect with their local habitats,” said Pitt Grewe, Head of the Public Lands Program at AllTrails. “Our organizations share a commitment to stewardship, and Walk for the Wild is a simple way for anyone to join us in protecting our public lands.”
 
Walk for the Wild generates critical private support for wildlife refuges, enhancing conservation, education, and outdoor recreation programs. Since 2022, Walk for the Wild has raised more than $100,000 to support conservation, outdoor recreation, and education opportunities in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This year, Public Lands Alliance and more than 35 nonprofit Refuge partners seek contributions to benefit nearly 60 national wildlife refuges across 26 states and territories. All registrants are encouraged to contribute.  

 

How to Participate 

 

1.     Register: Visit https://americaswildliferefuges.org/walk-for-the-wild/ tinyurl.com/WFTW2024 to sign up for a hosted 5K challenge or to join virtually from anywhere. 

2.     Get Outside: Walk, hike, or run between October 12-19, 2024. 

3.     Share: Post your experience on social media using #WalkForTheWild and encourage others to join. 


About America’s Wildlife Refuges
 

America’s Wildlife Refuges is an initiative of the Public Lands Alliance, an official nonprofit partner of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The initiative is dedicated to inspiring meaningful connections and private support for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each year, more than 65 million people travel from near and far to explore, admire, and appreciate America’s more than 570 national wildlife refuges and the flora and fauna that inhabit them.
 
The mission of the
Public Lands Alliance is to connect, strengthen, and represent the nonprofit partners of America's public lands. We are a unified, powerful community dedicated to the preservation, enrichment, and enjoyment of America's most treasured places. 
 
About AllTrails
AllTrails helps you find your outside with inspiration from a global community of trailgoers. We connect people to the outdoors, help them discover new places, and elevate their experiences on the trail. The AllTrails Public Lands Program is a free resource for agencies and non-profit organizations help to inform visitors and improve the public lands experience. AllTrails was awarded Apple’s 2023 iPhone App of the Year and a Google Play Best of 2023 honorable mention. Download AllTrails in the App Store or head to AllTrails.com to learn more.
 
Media Contact: 

Gaby Rojas at gaby@publiclandsalliance.org.

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