Frequently Asked Questions: Walk for Wildlife
What days can I go out?
We’re counting everything from 12:01a.m. on October 1, 2023 and running through 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2023. Any and all activities between the start and end time count toward the event. You can participate for as few or as many days as you like.
Where can I walk?
Anywhere! Your neighborhood, area parks, mountains, fields, along lakes and streams. Just get outside and enjoy nature. If you need help getting started, check out our list of local places to visit.
Do I have to walk in Loudoun County?
No. You and members of your team can walk anywhere in the world. Spending October in Loudoun County? That’s cool. Walk there. Traveling to North Dakota or France? Also cool. Walk there too.
Do all team members have to walk together or observe all the species for them to count?
No, but you are of course welcome and encouraged to go out with your team. This can also be considered a “divide and conquer” activity.
Do members of my team or individuals registering have to live in Loudoun?
No, everyone is welcome regardless of where they live.
How many members can I have on my team? There is a limit of 10 members per team. If you have more than 10 members, a team leader can sign up a second team.
Do you have teams that schools can participate in? We are offering a friendly competition for Youth Teams (classroom, scout group, organized youth group, etc.) of 10 or more children for ages up to 18. The adult leader can register the team here. If a Youth Team cannot afford the registration fee, scholarships are available.
How do I track my miles?
There are several apps that you can use including: FitBit, MapMyWalk GPS, Walkmeter GPS, Footpath Route Planner, Go Jauntly, AlpineQuest and more. You can also keep track by using Google Maps and available trail maps to calculate the distance that you walked.
Where do I record my miles?
Beginning October 1, enter your miles on our Google Form. Enter miles for each person who completes the distance. For example, if you and three teammates take a three-mile hike, each person should enter three miles in the Google Form, for a total of nine miles entered for your team.
How do I record my species observed?
Use the iNaturalist app to enter your species. View instructions on using iNaturalist. Enter species for your team on a per-observer basis. For example, if you are at Morven Park and you and your teammates see a wild turkey, you should take a photo to upload to iNaturalist for each teammate who observed the wild turkey.
What if I’m a late signup for the Walk for Wildlife event? Do all my October activities count?
You can retroactively count your observations in iNaturalist and enter your locations and miles via the Google Form.
How do I raise money for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy?
You can ask friends and family to donate a flat amount to your team or pledge an amount based on your miles walked, species observed – it’s up to you. Just have your supporters visit the Donate Page. Supporters for Youth Teams can donate via the Youth Team Page.
What do I receive when I register? Your registration includes:
- Commemorative t-shirt if you register by October 4, 2023,
- Participation in LWC’s month-long Walk for Wildlife event,
- Admission to a pre-event kickoff event and mixer,
- Admission to a post-event celebration, and
- LWC membership through the end of 2024
How can I win prizes?
Everyone wins in this event because we’re getting out in nature, seeing and learning about new things, and helping to provide critical citizen science data for the study of our wildlife systems. The top three teams and individuals earn prize medals for:
- Most parks/wildlife locations visited,
- Most species observed, and
- Most trail miles traversed
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