HOLLY SPRINGS – This Saturday, June 4, the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center and locals youths from 4-H will host free, family interpretive hikes in celebration of the American Hiking Society’s 19th annual National Trails Day (NTD). The event will be held at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs.
Hikes will depart at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Since 1993, National Trails Day (NTD) has inspired thousands of people to enjoy trails on the same day nationwide, taking part in hikes, bike and horse rides, trail maintenance, paddle trips and other activities. Event hosts include local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, retailers, land trusts and many other businesses and organizations.
The children participating in the event are from Shelby County, Tenn., and they are the Western Regional Junior High Wildlife Judging Team Champions where the Senior High team won second place. The team will be competing in the State Wildlife Judging competition later this month.
They’ve also won the Regional Forestry Judging Competition numerous times and have participated in the state championships for the last five years.
Katie Boyle, the Outreach/Ed Director at Strawberry Plains, said the team has volunteered for countless hours of community service by planting trees, recycling, cleaning up neighborhoods and cleaning up storm drains in several Memphis areas to prevent flooding.
“You’ve got to meet these kids,” Boyle said. “They’ve entertained at nursing homes and presented at events such as County Arbor Day plus many more hours of service. [Everyone] really needs to support your local 4-H kids and Audubon Center and celebrate National Trails Day with your whole family.”
Boyle said the hikes are designed for participants of all ages.
“If you can walk or be held, you can participate,” she said.
A long-standing celebration of America’s magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers, National Trails Day is celebrated in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
“The slogan for NTD 2011, ‘Made With All Natural Ingredients,’ is an open invitation to all Americans to get outside and connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer,” Boyle said. “Strawberry Plains Audubon Center is a nature lover’s paradise. Our trails trace the natural and historic heritages of this region [and] Strawberry Plains is truly a place where nature and history meet.”
For more information contact Katie Boyle at 662-252-1155 or Weida Ringley at 901-386-3231.
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