Wild Walks Launched by Lindsey Chapman Springwatch Star

At Cause UK we got windswept with Lindsey Chapman, BBC presenter and Patron of our client, The Wild Watch in Nidderdale AONB, to launch three new family Wild Walks. The story featured in the Yorkshire Post.

Lindsey, who took part in the People’s Walk for Wildlife in London last month with fellow presenter Chris Packham, says she hopes the Wild Walks will encourage visitors and residents alike to fall in love with nature.

Lindsey said: “Following the recent Walk for Wildlife in London where Chris launched A People’s Manifesto for Wildlife, this is a fantastic local initiative from The Wild Watch team to encourage more families to experience nature first hand.”

The people’s manifesto laid out nearly 200 measures conceived by experts to save UK wildlife.

The Heritage Lottery funded Wild Watch project is carrying out the largest wildlife survey in Nidderdale AONB ever conducted. It is striving to collect data on species in the area to inform conservation and preservation strategies.

Lindsey added: “The Wild Watch is on the frontline of the Manifesto, urging more action to save the UK’s wildlife from ‘mass extinction in our own backyard’. We need a movement of people to be the custodians of our natural world, and the best way to get people enthused is to get them outdoors to engage with nature, and develop a love of our countryside and wildlife.”

Short to medium length, and of moderate difficulty, the three walks are the Kingfisher Trail, a circular 3-mile route along the River Nidd, the Packhorse Trail, 4.5-miles through Darley, and the Curlew Trail, a 3-mile walk starting in Pateley Bridge.

The walks take you over moorlands, along rivers and across rolling hills. The variety of habitats covered make it a perfect opportunity for spotting different animals and species. Guides for each walk are available with wildlife spotter guides and fun wildlife facts, and even educational activities, with a fun word search for children. The guides flag easy parking, shopping, and eating points for families.

Solange Ponce, The Wild Watch Project Assistant, said: “As well as working with local conservation groups, scientists and volunteers to safeguard the ecology and habitat of our wildlife, we are also eager to show people how special the wildlife in Nidderdale AONB is. Whether you are an avid animal fan, or a new naturalist – these walks will make you fall in love with the precious local countryside and its wild residents.”

For more information on the walks go to www.thewildwatch.org.uk