Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans

This October, walk, stroll or roll 5K in nature to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 9-16. Get moving how and where you wish — on a national wildlife refuge or in a neighborhood park. Go solo or with a pal. Just do it out-of-doors and under your own power. Why Walk for the Wild? Because being active in nature is good for you. Why else? Because national wildlife refuges are some of the best places to spend time in nature, helping both wildlife and people thrive.  Cheer On Your Favorite Refuge To add some fun, pick a wildlife refuge — any wildlife refuge — to dedicate your walk to. Let us know which one by registering with the Virtual Running Club. It’s free. You have 568 refuges to choose from. Refuges near New Orleans area that have awesome walking trails are: Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, New Orleans East Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, between Slidell & Mandeville, LA Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, Pearl River, MS Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, Franklin, LA Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, Morgan City, LA More than 720 participants have already signaled their choices. Among them, they have designated all 568 refuges — meaning there will be at least one October walker/roller for every refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. But let’s not stop there. Which refuge will get the most votes? It’s too soon to tell, but the competition is heating up. Help decide the outcome. So far, the heavy hitters are Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, with 52, and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, with 57. Let others know you value conservation, and help put your favorite refuge in the running. Follow the Social Media Action Follow the fun on social media by following the hashtag #WalkfortheWild2021. On Saturday, October 9, celebrate urban conservation. Check out the hashtag: #Walk4Urban   Each subsequent day of Refuge Week also has its own daily theme. See you at the refuge. To your health! To refuges!