rebecca woolford
Hike For Nature | Supporting Women On The Frontlines Of Conservation
Fundraising for How Many Elephants
Story
We're hiking 95km (59 miles) across Slovenia in a 4-day thru-hike. With steep altitude gain, descents, and often rocky challenging terrain.
So far we've walked 100 miles across Wales and climbed the highest peaks in the UK for NATURE, but this year is different...
...as we’ll be stepping into the boots of FEMALE WILDLIFE RANGERS, those who stand on the FRONTLINES of conservation.
This year we'll support female rangers who have dedicated their lives to the often challenging and dangerous work of protecting the planet’s wildlife and wild spaces. Not ONLY are these female wildlife rangers walking long distances, but they also face many other challenges, including threats from poachers, wild animals, and social stigma. Rebecca Woolford
Who are we raising funds for?
How Many Elephants is an anti-poaching conservation charity registered in the United Kingdom. The charity supports female and mixed ranger teams in Africa and around the world and founded ‘World Female Ranger Week’ to amplify the voices of female rangers in the global media.
Patrolling vast distances daily, a female wildlife ranger covers at least 20 km daily - often with heavy gear and in extreme conditions. The km we'll walk per day will represent their patrol.
Their direct-action partners include,
*The Black Mambas, South Africa
*Mara Elephant Project, Kenya
*Gibbon Conservation Society, Malaysia
*Sumatran Ranger Project, Indonesia
"Over the last decade, I've seen first-hand how female rangers impact lives. They're bold, changing the game and paving the way for women to stand alongside men at the forefront of conservation, but they need allies. As role models, educators, and beacons of hope, female rangers are transforming attitudes toward the role of women within their communities and around the world. With women being natural communicators, and protectors the ranger workforce is strengthening community conservation efforts and relationships. Funds raised will support female rangers' wages, equipment, and essentials like fuel. " Holly Budge, World Female Ranger Week and 'How Many Elephants'.
This year’s ‘Hike For Nature’ has all the essential ingredients of an adventure: Adversity, Challenge, and Uncertainty.
Our thru-hike will be across Triglav National Park in Slovenia, where Rebecca and Lionel, Co-Founders of Kiwano Tourism are currently based.
Day 1: We’ll be walking from Bohinjska Bistrica to the high mountains of Vogel, ending a long day in Komna (24 km, 1750 m altitude)
Day 2: From Komna we’ll cross rugged terrain to Krnsko Jezero, from there we'll head out to Soča Village for the night (21 km, 500 m altitude)
Day 3: An early start in Soča Village as we traverse a tricky path and tough terrain onto Kobarid (25 km, 1400 m altitude gain)
Day 4: On the final day we’ll hike from Kobarid, completing the hike in Postaja Village (22 km, 130 m altitude gain)
**All associated costs of such an adventure are covered by Kiwano , enabling 100% of funds raised to go directly to supporting female rangers.
How can you help?
1 – Whether you can give £5 or £500, every little bit helps. If you have deeper pockets please consider becoming a corporate sponsor.
2 – If you can’t give, there are so many other ways to support this initiative. You could share this page with friends, family, and colleagues. You could reshare our daily updates over on Instagram with friends to help raise awareness - head on over to @Rebecca_kiwano
3 – If you’re a business then you could help in a much bigger way. ALL contributions go directly to the wildlife rangers through UK Charity How Many Elephants, who can issue you with a tax receipt. If you’d like your brand to be part of the SOLUTION, and get cool content and shout-outs along the way then please reach out to rebecca@kiwanotourism.com. Sponsorship starts from £200
4 - If none of the above floats your boat, then why not grab a pen and paper to draw your Climate Venn Diagram? It’s all about connecting your unique passions, and skills, with the work that needs doing and finding JOY in taking action.