Tv stars Maddie Moate and Iolo Williams are championing a nature walk event to raise money for the natural world.
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is calling on 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 Trust’s goal of protecting and connecting 30 per cent of the UK’s land and sea for nature by 2030.
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The Wildlife Trusts are undertaking a raft of projects to reverse declines in wildlife and tackle the climate crisis – from restoring peatlands, chalk grasslands and sand dunes, to bringing back beavers and protecting red squirrels.
Last year, BBOWT bought a 31-hectare site in the parish of Ludgershall, near Bicester, and is currently restoring rare floodplain meadow habitat there which will capture carbon and boost biodiversity.
Big Wild walkers can create their own challenge, or use the number 30 as inspiration to walk 30 minutes every day during the Big Wil Walk week, which runs from 24 to 30 October.
Additionally, participants can walk 30 km in three days or walk 30km in one day.
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.
Community Engagement Director at BBOWT Liz Shearer said: “Autumn is the perfect time to get out and go for a Big Wild Walk, and BBOWT has more than 80 beautiful nature reserves in our three counties to explore.
“Sadly, as the record-breaking heatwave this summer reminded us, we are facing a nature and climate crisis, and our nature reserves are at risk like all our wildlife.
“But joining the Big Wild Walk is a great way to raise funds for The Wildlife Trusts and help us to create more nature everywhere.”
Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts Maddie Moate said: “We all need to do our bit to help nature and what better was 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.”
Vice-President of The Wildlife Trusts Iolo Williams said: “Two years ago, The Wildlife Trusts launched 30 by 30, a public appeal to raise money to put nature into recovery across at least 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.
“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.
You can sign up at bbowt.org.uk/take-big-wild-walk-nature-climate
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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
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