People are being asked to put their best foot forward for nature and take part in The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wild Walk during the last week of October. UK wildlife is in big trouble and people can help by raising vital funds to further the charity’s 30 by 30 vision to restore at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

Nature-lovers can create their own challenge, or use the number 30 as inspiration to:

· Walk 30 km during Big Wild Walk Week

· Walk 30 km in three days

· Walk 30 km in one day!

The walk highlights the urgent need to take action for the nature and climate crisis, whether it’s restoring peatlands to lock-in carbon, planting underwater seagrass meadows, or bringing back beavers – a species that helps rejuvenate wetlands. The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wild Walk week ends on October 31st just as the international climate conference COP26 starts in Glasgow.

TV GP Dr Amir Khan, ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts is among over 750 people who have already pledged to take part. Dr Khan says:

“I can’t wait to embark on my Big Wild Walk, I’ll be walking 30km over the week to raise money for The Wildlife Trusts’ extraordinary vision of 30% of land and seas for nature by 2030. Walking is one of my favourite ways to experience the natural world, and this is a great challenge for those who want to make a difference for wildlife whilst experiencing it themselves. Walking in nature is also proven to improve your health and wellbeing, so wrap up warm and grab a flask of tea and join me in taking on the Big Wild Walk challenge!”

Last year Sam Hockaday and his fiancé Tash, raised over £500 through their Big Wild Walk setting themselves a mammoth challenge to walk 100km through the Oxfordshire countryside and finish at the Warburgh Nature Reserve in the Chiltern Hills. Sam Hockaday says:

“I’m aware of the impacts of climate change and pollution and I found this was a brilliant opportunity to not only get into nature, but raise money for The Wildlife Trusts, directly supporting our wildlife.”

Sign up and create your own walk  

Participants can download free autumn nature spotter sheets, a Big Wild Walk tracker sheet and a certificate upon completion. Simply choose your route, and make it fun: ramble for red squirrels, amble for avocets or hike for a hedgehog! If you can’t get outside, set up a remote relay with friends, walk around the house or stride out on a treadmill.