3 min read

March Nature Walk Challenge

From 3-13 March I set a goal of walking 50 km in nature to support the Wilderness Society with protecting endangered Australian animals and the places they call home.
March Nature Walk Challenge
On my first day I walked 7 km along the estuary.

I decided last minute to join the March Nature Walk Challenge - to walk in nature from 3 - 13 March to end Australia's extinction crisis. I chose to do the Numbat - 50 km distance, then planned to walk ~5 km every day for the next 10 days.

Numbat (WA fauna emblem)
My first glimpse of a numbat was a grey blur in my peripheral vision. It was the bushy tail of a female scampering away up the path of the Arboretum in Dryandra.
Because numbats are the best and they deserve 50 km.

My reasons for participating in the challenge were multifold; to firstly raise awareness and fundraise for Australian wildlife facing extinctions, as well as increase my daily cardio exercise, ๐Ÿšถ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๐ŸŒณ ๏ธenjoy the fresh air by being outside every day and hopefully begin a morning habit of walks full of nature inspiration for the rest of my day. Also, it's my birthday this month, and donations make great gifts!

Most days I just walked for exercise and occasionally stopped to take nature photo snaps around me. By the estuary we spotted many birds including ospreys, black swans and pelicans, a kingfisher, even two red-capped parrots. If I wanted to I could then nature journal or paint them from memory, or using the photos, once I was home.

One morning when I was alone, I decided to go to Melros beach and took my 'lightweight' plein air kit. Training for my next Plein Airpril challenge?๐Ÿคซ

Along the way, I encountered some kangaroos by the side of the road having their breakfast. They didn't mind me sketching and painting them but were startled just when I wanted to take a photo!

Some days I walked more than 5 km, once or twice I skipped or only did 3 km. By the end of the challenge, I had achieved my 50 km goal in 10 days.

EDIT 4/4/23: Thank you for helping me reach my fundraising goal!

Fundraising goal reached!

๐Ÿ’š $410 raised (goal was $400)๐Ÿ˜Š

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Let me know in the comments if you would do a similar nature walk challenge? Would you take a sketchbook with you?