Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Race for the Birds at this special Wellness Walk with Ellen Murphy!

PVAS Host: Ellen Murphy

$15/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants. This program has a minimum of 10 participants. 

Let’s get outside and walk the trails together! Wellness Walks are monthly group walks to different locations, and this special edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of Race for the Birds!

While most of our Wellness Walks are free, this one has a $15 registration fee—and here’s why:

• Support PVAS: Your participation helps fund PVAS and the costs behind our free programming.
• Commemorative T-shirt: All registrants who register by March 5 may receive a Race for the Birds T-shirt! Indicate your size when you register. Limit one per participant.

This walk offers a different atmosphere than the race. It’s quieter, less crowded, and shorter in distance, with more chances to pause and enjoy the beauty around us—literally stopping to smell the flowers. We anticipate spotting some stunning spring ephemeral wildflowers along the scenic route near Back Creek!

Note: Dogs are not permitted at this event.

Join us for this unique celebration of nature, community, and 25 years of Race for the Birds!

• Walking Distance: 1.7 miles
• Pace/Activities: Moderate (steady but able to maintain a conversation)
• Exposure: Mostly open, some canopy cover
• Terrain: grass covered hard ground/running trail
• Restroom: There should be a port-o-potty on site during the walk.
• Parking/Where to Meet: The group will meet at the front gate and caravan to the walk location
• What to Bring: Participants should wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions, and bring along water.

Register Here!

Registration will remain open until the morning of the program.

If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled.

Read our Program Policies.

About our Host: Ellen is retired from PVAS (and a former National Park Ranger and Girl Scout Camp Director). With PVAS, she taught the Watershed Program, taught general environmental education for PK-5th grades, and directed Audubon Discovery Camp for 11 years. She has been a Master Naturalist since 2007. Her favorite word is “Look” and my favorite place is Yankauer Nature Preserve. She and her husband Kevin have been married for 39 years, residents of WV for almost 30 years, and “parents” to a series of pound puppies (currently #8 and 9).