Hike, bike, walk, take photos of the outdoors, or have a beer and know you're playing a part in keeping our environment healthy. Be part of Housatonic Valley Association’s (HVA) inaugural Explore-a-thon, now extended through July 4th!
WHAT: a virtual fundraising and awareness-building event to encourage everybody to get outside and support HVA in keeping waters and lands healthy.
WHEN: anytime through midnight on July 4th.
WHERE: anywhere in the nearly 2,000 square mile tri-state Housatonic River Watershed and all day July 4th, anywhere in the entire USA!
WHY:
- To win exciting prizes like an REI daypack, guided overnight river experience, new hiking boots, a Patagonia prize pack, an evening at Troutbeck, and more.
- To have fun outdoors in a beautiful part of the world.
- To keep our waters, lands and wildlife healthy by supporting HVA.
Your registration fee and all funds raised will support HVA's mission to protect
the environment of the Housatonic River Watershed. This is a benefit
for healthy waterways, lands, wildlife—and all of us!
HOW:
- Register as an individual or start a team any time until July 4th!
- If you start a team, invite others to join anytime throughout the month. You don't need to gather in person, and they can join from anywhere just by registering and searching for your team.
- You’ll be given a chance to create your own fundraising page—not required, but a great way to spread the word about helping our local environment. Let friends and family know what you're doing and encourage them to donate. We also have awesome prizes to award (both 1st and 2nd place!) for the most money donated or raised.
- Visit the Competitions and Prizes page and decide how you want to participate. Competing isn't required, but we have lots of options! Best bird photo, most miles hiked with a dog, most sites visited, best team name—there's something for everyone! Choose your favorite and get started anywhere in the Housatonic River Watershed, just don't forget to log your progress.
MORE WAYS TO HELP: want to keep our waterways, land and wildlife healthy but don't want to participate in an activity? Make a donation, visit one of our partner breweries, or both! More information on the Breweries and Events tab.
The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is a tri-state nonprofit citizen’s environmental group working to conserve the natural character, environmental health, and economies of our region by protecting and restoring its land and waters.
If you take photos of your adventures, don't forget to tag us @hvatoday on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and use the hashtag #hvaexplore!
Jason Burger
Dianne Littlefield