Meet our Big Wild Walkers

Our staff are taking on the Big Wild Walk fundraising challenge, from the 23rd October to the 3rd November, and are sharing how they connect with nature on their walks and wildlife they have seen.

Get inspired for your Big Wild Walk

During Big Wild Walk week, our team will be walking wherever and whenever they can to connect with wildlife around them. Here, we are sharing their stories of how they interact with nature that is sitting right on their doorsteps.

You can set your own challenge for Big Wild Walk - perhaps you want to take on the challenge of walking 30km at your own pace, tackling a challenge of walking from one nature reserve to another in a day, or taking a mindful moment to connect with the wildlife on your doorstep. All money raised will be helping us reach an integral goal of protecting 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030. You could be part of this by fundraising!

Lucy and Winnie

Lucy, our Fundraising Manager coins walking is a huge part of her life, as come rain or shine she will be out everyday with her dog, Winnie. Having a dog has meant that Lucy can take time everyday to get outdoors, and therefore connect with nature everyday.

Lucy is looking forward to walking with added purpose this October, during Big Wild Walk Week, Lucy will be challenging herself to visit more nature reserves, kicking things off by visiting Foxhill Bank.

It's wonderful how much you can see on your doorstep - I regularly see deer, owls and very excitingly saw a mole recently!

Lucy Coxhead - Fundraising Manager, The Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Laura

Laura, our Fundraising and Digital Marketing Officer loves wildlife and photography. Getting outdoors combines her favourite things to do, and you can often find her exploring the natural world with her camera in hand.

Laura is looking forward to putting her walking boots on for this year's Big Wild Walk and taking some time to appreciate the sights, sounds and colours of autumn. She will be visiting Brockholes Nature Reserve for her first walk and highly encourages you to take part too!

Daveen

Daveen, our Director of Nature and Wellbeing is taking part to remind herself of nature's power for wellbeing and productivity. Despite having a busy schedule often filled with meetings, she has taken initiative each day to walk to feel more rejuvenated, and has noticed the boost this has had on her productivity each day. Daveen has many miles already under her belt, including her walk around Seven Acres. Daveen would like to encourage everyone to take time to connect with the nature on your doorstep.

Seven Acres, river passing my trees and a sunny blue sky — Seven Acres

Whilst I was out I saw a kestrel hovering patiently looking for its prey. I felt so inspired I wrote a haiku.

Daveen Wallis - Director of Nature and Wellbeing, The Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Lydia

Lydia, our Senior Content and Campaigns Officer, has taken on the tree trail at Phillips Park, a blissful circular walk through ancient woodland. At this reserve you can print off a guide map to walk around to see 16 species of trees, Lydia's favourite is the ancient oak, estimated to be over 900 years old.

Lydia feels there is a mystical presence at this reserve, she imagines how many major world events have taken place and how many of our ancestors have walked here in the past, forming the same connection to nature we do today.

Amy

Amy walking on a path next to some shrub — Amy - Preesall to Knott End

Amy, our Communications and Campaigns Assistant, is also participating in our team Big Wild Walk and is connecting with nature on her doorstep, around Wyre. She is a keen wildlife spotter and uses this as her motivation for challenging herself to get outside.

From walking from Preesall through to Knott End recently, she managed to encounter an abundance of wildlife including: Eurasian Oystercatchers, Canadian geese, Pink-footed geese and 2 Red admirals. She wants to encourage you to step outside and see what wildlife you could spot on your walk.

Kirsty and Boo - Warton Crag

Megan and Lydia

Lancashire wildlife trust walking at freshfield

LWT Staff - Freshfield

Alex, Megan and Lucy walking down a hill on a path at Darwen Moor

Group Staff Walk - Darwen Moor

I'm so lucky to live in North Lancashire with the stunning Morecambe Bay on my doorstep. I can see the vast fells of the lakes across the expansive sands on a clear day but just as easily can find myself deep in ancient woodland and surrounded by huge mossy limestone crags. It's a place to breathe deep.

Kirsty Tyler - The Bay Nature and Wellbeing Communications Officer, The Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Feeling Inspired...

We are hoping that our fundraising efforts will inspire you to take on your own fundraising walking challenge. You could take on a challenge of walking all our nature reserves, you could walk up and down stairs listening to your favourite wildlife podcast, or simply rack those steps up by taking out your dog for a walk.

However you take part, you'll experience the benefits of health and well-being that come from spending time in nature whilst raising vital funds, all of which will support our Step up for Wildlife appeal.