Make a move to protect the places you love in the Hunterdon County area!

The nonprofit Hunterdon Land Trust invites everyone to participate in its first-ever Treasure Hunterdon Virtual Move-a-thon, which starts Aug. 15th and runs to Sept. 25. The event aims to raise funds to benefit HLT’s work protecting and caring for local forests, fields, farms and waterways.

“Our virtual Move-a-thon encourages everyone to help in a way in which they won’t have to do anything different from what they’re already doing thanks to the quarantine,” said Hunterdon Land Trust Executive Director Patricia Ruby. “We’ve all been taking this time to walk, bike and jog with our families. Why not use that time for a good cause?”

Participants can choose whether to walk, run, bike, hike, or ride a horse. They can explore an HLT preserve or other favorite trail, walk the dog around their neighborhood or even hop on a treadmill. HLT is encouraging participants to reach out to family, friends, colleagues and others to sponsor their efforts.

Registration opens Aug. 1 at http://charity.gofundme.com/hltmoveathon2020. Participants can join solo or create a virtual team; everyone is encouraged to share photos and videos on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #HLTMoveathon2020.

If you need help registering, please go here! 

The invidual and group raising the most money will be recognized on Sept. 25.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, HLT sought a unique way to celebrate the beauty of Hunterdon County while supporting its mission to preserve the integrity of the rural landscapes in the region by protecting and enhancing natural resources, and the cultural landscape of the historic Dvoor Farm. To date, HLT has preserved more than 9,700 acres in the county.

“Though we wish we could do something together to protect the places we love in the Hunterdon County area, the current pandemic prevents us from doing so,” Ruby said. “While these circumstances have changed our day-to-day lives, they haven’t altered the challenges we face to preserve our farms, woodlands and fields, and protect our fresh air and clean drinking water. In these difficult times, the respite our outdoor spaces provide is more important than ever.  This virtual walk is a great way to support HLT while getting out and connecting with family and friends safely.”

Be sure to follow the latest CDC guidelines on social distancing to ensure everyone’s safety.