SEQUIM — The Dungeness River Audubon Center begins its annual Spring Fling this weekend with activities for both participants and anyone else who wants to join in.
Spring Fling is a fundraiser for the Dungeness River Audubon Center and Railroad Bridge Park in which people hike, bike, garden, read or do any of a number of other activities and gather pledges from friends and family who want to encourage them in their endeavors.
This year’s goal is $30,000, said organizer Julie Jackson.
Last year, the annual event raised $22,000, $2,000 over its goal.
“Spring Fling is truly a ‘feel good’ fundraiser,” Jackson said.
“May is a great time to get outdoors, have fun and increase your fitness for a good cause.”
Spring Fling continues throughout May and ends with the Spring Fling Frolic celebration from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 5 at the River Center in Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
Participants in the monthlong effort can do it on their own or on teams.
They must register, gather pledges and count units — which are the number of miles, hours or — in the case of bird-watchers — species.
Awards on June 5 will go to those who raise the most money, tally the most miles, hours or species.
Team organizers are:
• Hiking — Gretha Davis, 360-681-8013, gretha.d@wavecable.com.
• Walking, which includes treadmill walking and running — Lyn Muench, 360-452-6100, lynmuench@olypen.com.
• Biking, which includes stationary biking — Powell Jones, rctech@olympus.net.
• Horseback riding or swimming — Jackson, 360-683-1355, juliejackson@wavecable.com.
• Birding — Dave Jackson, djackson@wavecable.com.
Spring Fling walks and hikes will take place throughout the month and all are open to the public.
Two walks are scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
The ‘Walk as One’ labyrinth walk will be at 1 p.m. at the Bedford Labyrinth, 186 Deer Ridge Lane, Sequim.
For more information, contact Pam and Ted Bedford, 360-683-6376, tbedford@olypen.com.
At 2 p.m., “Discover Railroad Bridge Park,” a two-mile walk in the park and along the Olympic Discover Trail will begin at the Dungeness River Audubon Center.
All events are free for Spring Fling participants. The suggested donation for others is $5 per walk.
All Spring Fling proceeds will support educational programs of the Dungeness River Audubon Center and maintenance of Railroad Bridge Park.
Here are other walks and hikes
scheduled, several of which are organized by team leaders.
• Tuesday — Bird Walk, Dungeness Recreation Area, a three-mile hike. Meet at the first parking lot inside the gate on Voice of America Drive at 8:30 a.m. Contact the Jacksons.
• Tuesday — Dungeness River in the Mountains, Camp Handy, a 6.4-mile hike. Contact John Bridge, 360-683-3151, jbridge@olypen.com.
• Friday, May 7 — Robin Hill Farm Park Hike, a hike of more than three miles. Contact Gretha and Doug Davis.
• Sunday, May 9 — Railroad Bridge Trestle and Olympic Discovery Trail Walk, three-mile hike. Contact Muench.
• Tuesday, May 11 — Bird Walk at the Dungeness River dike, a two-mile hike. Meet at 8:30 a.m. in the parking area on Towne Road near the gate to the dike. Contact the Jacksons.
• Tuesday, May 11 — Dungeness River in the Mountains, Lower Graywolf River, a 9.6-mile hike. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Sequim’s public parking area next to The Buzz to carpool. Contact Bridge.
• Friday, May 14 — Hike on the Dungeness Spit to the New Dungeness Light Station, 11-mile hike. Contact the Davises.
• Sunday, May 16 — Johnson Creek Trestle to Sequim Bay State Park, a three-mile hike. Meet at 2 p.m. at White Feather Way parking lot for Olympic Discovery Trail. Contact Muench.
• Tuesday, May 18 — Dungeness River in the Mountains, Slab Camp Trail, seven-mile hike. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Sequim’s public parking area next to The Buzz to carpool. Contact Bridge.
• Friday, May 21 –Hike the Miller Peninsula, nine-mile hike. Meet at 9 a.m. at Sequim’s public parking area between Washington and Cedar streets to carpool. Contact the Davises.
• Sunday, May 23 — Walk the Morse Creek Trestle to the beach, a three-mile hike. Contact Muench.
• Tuesday, May 25 — Dungeness River in the Mountains, Deer Ridge, six-mile hike. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Sequim’s public parking area next to The Buzz to carpool. Contact Bridge.
• Tuesday, May 25 — Bird Walk, Miller Peninsula. Meet at 8:30 a.m. in QFC parking lot near the gas station to carpool. Contact Karen and Joe Zook, 360-681-3526, gadzooks@wavecable.com.
• Friday, May 28 — Hike from Salt Creek to Striped Peak, five-mile hike. Meet at 9 a.m. at Sequim’s public parking area between Washington and Cedar streets to carpool. Contact the Davises.
For registration forms and more information, see www.DungenessRiverCenter.org or pick up forms at the River Center.