Walk for the Woods 2026 Celebrates the Power of Protected Land and Community Connection
Scenic Rivers’ annual event welcomed more than 250 attendees and raised over $24,000 to support conservation in Anne Arundel County.
CROWNSVILLE, Md. (May 13, 2026) — More than 250 community members gathered at Bacon Ridge Natural Area on Saturday, May 2, for the 21st Annual Walk for the Woods hosted by Scenic Rivers Land Trust in partnership with Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation & Parks.
The free, community event celebrated local land conservation, the protected Bacon Ridge Natural Area, and the joy of the outdoors through guided hikes, educational activities, and hands-on experiences in one of Anne Arundel County’s largest publicly accessible protected landscapes. Over 65 volunteers helped bring the day to life, welcoming attendees and leading activities across Bacon Ridge’s 20+ mile trail system. The event also raised over $24,000 through sponsorships and donations to support Scenic Rivers’ mission to conserve the special forests, farms, wetlands, and natural areas that sustain Anne Arundel County.
Attendees explored the 1,100+ acre natural area through guided hikes focused on wildlife, native plants, fungi, photography, and forest ecology. Families also enjoyed the popular Creek Critter Discovery activity led by Coastal Resources, Inc., a native tree giveaway from Bartlett Tree Experts, an archaeology display from The Lost Towns Project, and a self-led nature walk throughout the day.
“Walk for the Woods is a celebration of the importance of protected land,” said Scenic Rivers Land Trust Executive Director Josh Falk. “It’s about giving more people the chance to experience these forests, to explore them with family and friends, and to build connection to the natural places that make Anne Arundel County special. When people come together at Bacon Ridge to hike, learn, and spend time outdoors, it’s a powerful reminder that conservation is ultimately about people as much as land.”
This year’s Walk for the Woods capped off two weeks of community programming from Scenic Rivers celebrating forests, stewardship, and local conservation, including Scenic Rivers’ first-ever Healthy Forests Speaker Series event featuring nationally recognized forester and author Ethan Tapper. Tapper delivered a public talk alongside a panel of local forest experts discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Anne Arundel County’s forests, then led a guided forest talk on the trails at Bacon Ridge the following day.
The lead up celebration also included the launch of Forever Protected, an American pale ale collaboration between Forward Brewing and Pherm Brewing Company brewed in support of Scenic Rivers and local land conservation. Both breweries hosted special release events benefiting Scenic Rivers in the weeks leading up to Walk for the Woods. Billed as a perfect post-hike beer, Forever Protected is available on tap and in cans at both breweries.
“Bacon Ridge is an incredible community resource, and events like Walk for the Woods help people experience the value of protected public lands in a direct and memorable way,” said Alison Woodfield, Chief of Natural & Cultural Resources for Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation & Parks, who attended this year’s event. “We are proud to partner with Scenic Rivers Land Trust to help connect people with nature and inspire stewardship of these special places.”
Scenic Rivers Land Trust announced that next year’s Walk for the Woods will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
About Scenic Rivers Land Trust
A nationally accredited land trust, Scenic Rivers is a private nonprofit dedicated to conserving the special forests, farms, wetlands, and natural areas that sustain Anne Arundel County. To date, Scenic Rivers holds 83 conservation easements across the county, totaling over 4,000 acres. To learn about Scenic Rivers’ conservation and stewardship programs, visit SRLT.org.
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