Get Outside this Holiday Season

HeartLands Conservancy is partnering with the Alpine Shop and Davey Resource Group to challenge people to get outdoors in the Metro East this holiday season. The 2^nd annual Jingle Hike Challenge begins on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 23th and runs through Monday, January 1st, 2018. Jingle bells are tied to a tree within twelve Metro East parks. Participants have six weeks to find each tree, take a selfie, and post to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #jinglehike or email to [email protected]. For each submission, they will be entered to win prizes. If a person finds six or more of the trees, he or she will be entered to win the grand prize – a Felt Café 24 Adult Bicycle from the Alpine Shop.  Bonus entries will be awarded for correctly identifying the type of tree. Participants in the “Jingle Hike Challenge” will be entered to win prizes, including a new adult bicycle. Other prizes include outdoor gear from the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon.   “We created this challenge to increase awareness of the Metro East’s outstanding parks, hidden gems, and quality of life,” said Mary Vandevord, President/CEO of HeartLands Conservancy. “Part of our mission is to engage people with nature – even in the winter. The challenge encourages people to take a break to enjoy nature and explore our beautiful region.” Locations include The Gardens at SIUE, New Baden Park, Storck Woods in Washington County, Red Bud City Hall Park, Gordon Moore Park, Willoughby Farms, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Stemler Cave Woods Nature Preserve, Waterloo Lakeview Park, Belleville Bicentennial Park, Mascoutah Scheve Park, and Kingsbury Park District Nature Preserve. There is no cost to take the challenge, but participants must be at least 14 years old to win prizes. A map of all twelve parks and instructions will be available at the HeartLands Conservancy, the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon, and several other locations in the region. More information and a printable map can also be found online at www.heartlandsconservancy.org. Winners will be drawn January 3 and announced on social media and the HeartLands Conservancy website. Follow HeartLands Conservancy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for hints on the bell locations and more information. ABOUT HEARTLANDS CONSERVANCY HeartLands Conservancy, a nonprofit serving Southwestern Illinois since 1989, is devoted to the conservation of open spaces, sustainable and environmentally friendly community planning, and engaging our neighbors with nature.  We are investing in the nature of Southwestern Illinois. Visit: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org for more information.