Hike Barnstable Challenge launches on National Trails Day, June 3
Barnstable Land Trust Celebrates 40th Anniversary
West Barnstable, MA – Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) announced a weekend of special events and programs, including the launch of its new Hike Barnstable Challenge on National Trails Day, June 3. The three-month self-paced challenge is sponsored in part by Cape Cod Healthcare and encourages people of all ages and abilities to explore 40 miles of Barnstable trails, learn about the health and wellness benefits of walking outdoors, and discover new spaces and places that are protected in the Town of Barnstable. The launch weekend also includes a photography walk, a lady slipper hike, and a wildflower walk, ending with the Tour de Barnstable, a charity bike ride through all 7 villages that benefits BLT and DEVO Cycling, on June 4.
“We are excited to celebrate our 40th Anniversary with community partners like Cape Cod Healthcare, the Town of Barnstable, and other nonprofits with special programs like our Hike Barnstable Challenge” says Janet Milkman, BLT’s Executive Director. “During this milestone year, we especially want to help people connect with their natural environment in new and meaningful ways.”
“Partnering with Barnstable Land Trust on the Hike Barnstable Challenge aligns so well with our focus on community, health, and wellness,” states Michael Lauf, President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. “We’re proud to support BLT’s efforts and look forward to partnering on programs that will reinforce how everyone can realize health benefits by connecting more with nature.”
Other Hike Barnstable Challenge partners include: the Town of Barnstable (the Natural Resources Program, Recreation Division, and Conservation Division), Community Health Center, Cape Cod Nordic Walking Club, Appalachian Mountain Club/Southeastern MA chapter, local libraries, Get Outside Cape Cod, Cape Cod Children’s Museum, and the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District’s Pollinator Pathway Trail. Go to https://blt.org/hikebarnstable for more details.
Learn more about BLT’s other National Trail Day weekend programs at https://blt.org/events:
Friday, June 2 Fuller Farm Photo Walk with Nancy Orbe, Cape Cod Art Center
Saturday, June 3 Lady Slipper Hunt at Crocker Neck with Gil Newton
Saturday, June 3 Wildflower Walk at Fuller Farm with Jim Ellis
Sunday, June 4 Tour de Barnstable charity bike ride
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Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected 1,100 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023, BLT is a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy. BLT also leverages its conservation expertise to inform local public decisions as they impact our ecosystems, community health, well-being, and quality of life. To learn more about BLT’s special 40th Anniversary events including the Hike Barnstable Challenge and the first-of-its-kind 2-day live Readathon of Thoreau’s Cape Cod, BLT’s trailside poetry initiative Words in the Wild, or access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide - English and Portuguese, Cape Cod Pathways, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit http://www.BLT.org or call 508-771-2585.