Submit a short hike story. I’ll donate $10 to Friends of the Waterlife Discovery Center.

I’m collecting Readers’ Hikes, short essays about a hike you loved, a life lesson learned on a trail, or a special moment outdoors.

Walking the Wetland Forest Trail at the WDC, Learning about Birds

I’ve received some great submissions, including today’s piece, “Momma’s Love on Schweitzer Mountain,” submitted by a member of The Undaunted Hiking Group of Bonner County, and “Hoodood,” by Frances Scott from Texas.

I want more!

Starting today, October 2, through October 16^th, for every hike story submitted and chosen for publication, I’ll donate $10 to the Friends of the Waterlife Discovery Center (WDC) in Sagle, Idaho, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) group.

My goal is to publish 50. Fifty matters on this Substack.

I’m an Idaho Master Naturalist. Our Pend Oreille chapter is based at the WDC, a habitat education site on the Pend Oreille River. It’s where I learned the land, water, and wildlife I write about. Master Naturalists host programs for adults and children and help maintain the grounds. That costs money. Your story can help.

Here’s how it works:

Fill out the Readers’ Hike Story Form.

Keep it simple: 100 to 400 words is perfect. Even a single paragraph + a photo works beautifully. No pressure to write an essay (but you are welcome to do so!)

I’ll read every submission. Selected stories will run as Readers’ Hikes and be featured on the Home Page. I’ll always reach out to you first before publishing.

There’s no charge to submit. Reading about the hikes is free.

Thanks to “Momma’s Love,” I donated my first $10 today!

Keep hiking and share your stories now!