Cora Hartshorn Arboretum Spring Hike-A-Thon

Join us in the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum's First Annual Hike-a -Thon! Here's your chance to support the Arboretum while also getting out there in nature and seeing Spring's magical beauty! And, to make it even more fun, we'd love for you to document your journey by taking photos of plants and animals you see along the way. 

When? And do I have to hike? Hike, bike, walk or birdwatch any time between the May 15 - May 23. 

Where should I go? Anywhere! Maybe you want to trek along your favorite route. Or, maybe it's a walk in your local woods. Or, here's your chance to finally summit that peak you've been meaning to get to. Any location where you are commingling with nature qualifies! 

How many miles do I have to hike? That's up to you! Our only goal is to get you outside and spending time in nature. So hike as little or as much as you’d like during the set dates. 

Am I hiking alone or with a group? That’s up to you as well! We now know that spending time outside with others is one of the safest ways to be together. So meet up with your friends or  drag your family out of the house and hike in a small group! Or, maybe you’ve spent enough time with your family and want some time alone! (If you hike with others, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum recommends following the CDC guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing.)

What is the registration fee? 
We are asking for a $50 registration entry. Included in your $50 registration fee is one of our very popular Cora Hartshorn Arboretum hats which you can pick up at the Arboretum beginning May 1st.

Here's How It Works:

While registering you will have the opportunity to become a fundraiser to ask others to support you in your hike. You will be able to create your own page through this site and have sponsors make donations directly through your page. (If you do not become a fundraiser while registering you can always do it later by going into your profile and managing your registration, select fundraiser in the bottom menu). 

Take pictures on your outdoor journey and share and tag the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum on Facebook and/or Instagram. Bonus: If you see a native plant, animal or insect along your route that you can't identify yourself, be sure to share the photo and one of the amazingly knowledgeable CHA naturalists will let you know what it is!

A prize will be awarded to the best photo!

A little about the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

The Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary is a historic woodlands garden and educational institution. In 1923, Stewart Hartshorn, the founder of Short Hills, gave the property that would later become the Arboretum to his daughter, Cora Hartshorn, to meet with neighbors in order to encourage stewardship behaviors. She willed the property to Millburn upon her death in 1958 and CHA became a non-profit in 1961. CHA’s mission is to foster environmental awareness and education using the Arboretum as a model for environmental stewardship and citizen science participation. CHA is dedicated to increasing biological diversity of the property through proper forest management and restoration. These efforts serve as the foundation of all of CHA’s environmental education programs. Help support this mission by becoming a participant in the Walk-A-Thon and create your own fundraising goals.