Take a walk on the wild side with WWT Arundel this June
Walking with Wildlife, 1-30 June
Take a walk on the wild side this June and get an extra step closer to the wonders of wildlife with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). By visiting WWT Arundel wetland centre during Walking with Wildlife month, visitors will not only enjoy their wander through the wetlands, but will also be in with the chance of winning great prizes, including rucksacks kindly supplied by Regatta, or the opportunity to explore the fantastic walking opportunities of the Wye Valley with a three night stay courtesy of Westview Guesthouse near Hay-on-Wye. On Walking Weekend on June 25-26 you can also enter a separate draw to win a Sussex Eco Trails guided walk in the South Downs.
To be in with a chance to win, WWT are encouraging people to visit any one of its nine wetland centres across the UK during June and explore the furthest reaches of their reserves and grounds, keeping an eye out for weird and wonderful wildlife along the way, and take part in an orienteering-style challenge. By visiting five fantastic wildlife locations highlighted on a map given out the centre, and marking it with the correct orienteering punch found at each designated location, visitors can be entered into the prize draw. For full details of the competition visit the website: www.wwt.org.uk/walking.
The initiative is designed to encourage people to get out and enjoy the warmer weather and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of gentle exercise combined with interacting with wildlife. We are all aware of the health benefits of regular, gentle exercise, but it is also increasingly accepted that spending time outdoors surrounded by nature is also good for people’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. For example, recent studies have concluded…
• Regular walking improves mood, reduces anxiety, aids sleep and improves self image[i].
• Spending time in the outdoors and in contact with the natural environment can have a positive effect on mental health.[ii]
• An inactive person spends 37% more days in hospital and visits the doctor 5.5% more times than an active person.[iii]
• Many people engage in feeding wildlife, such as birds, because they derive considerable personal satisfaction and comfort from the interaction[iv]
WWT wetland centres are the perfect place for a walk with wildlife. Discover and experience nose-to-beak encounters with a variety of exotic, rare and endangered species on a relaxing stroll at one of nine scenic locations.
Walking with Wildlife activities at WWT Arundel in June include a chance to get close to our nocturnal friends in an Evening Bat walk on June 16. The more adventurous can walk on the wild side of the reserve during the early morning VIP Bird walk on June 18. Free guided plant walks are offered every Thursday afternoon at 2:30 pm. On Walking Weekend (June 25-26) find information on how to start your own walking program and where to venture further afield. Attend a talk on Saturday 25 June at 2pm with Sussex Eco Trails walking guide Valdy Krige about an eco approach to walking the south downs and enter the draw to win a Sussex Eco Trails guided walk. Self led hide, plant and insect walks are available to visitors every day in June to encourage you to see the reserve in a new way.
Head down to WWT Arundel wetland centre this June and feel the benefits of Walking with Wildlife in our month-long celebration of the great outdoors. For full details of all the activities and events on offer during Walking with Wildlife month at WWT centres, visit the events section.
