PAWS for the Preserve

A Dog Walk-a-Thon For the Love of Nature!

Saturday, October 14, 2017
9am - 12pm

Schiff Nature Preserve

Dog Walk FundraiserHit the trails at Schiff in Mendham with your favorite four-legged friend and enjoy the natural beauty of the area while supporting your local nature preserve. All funds raised during our walk-a-thon will be used to protect natural habitats and maintain our 15+ miles of groomed trails. To join the fun, simply register today, download your pledge card and start asking your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to support you! Come out alone to walk with your dog, or form a "team" of walkers.

Be among the first 50 participants to register and your dog will receive a stylish Schiff tie-dye bandanna! (Don't disappoint your pooch!)

Choose Your Hike Level: We're running two 90-minute hikes simultaneously on event day. Both will be guided. Choose a gentle, more casual stroll through Schiff, or challenge Fido on the fitness hike! Both hikes begin and end at Schiff's Nature Center.

Stay for Some Dog Training Tips: After your walk/hike, take a break and learn about "The Top 5 Mistakes You're Too Good to Make," presented by professional dog trainer, Justine Schurmanns. Justine is the owner of The Family Dog, an online dog training company.

Enjoy Treats, Prizes & More (for humans and dogs!): On event day, purchase your tickets at the door to win pet-themed items donated by our sponsors and local pet-friendly businesses. Be sure to stop by the fun photo booth with your pet and have a Schiff staffer snap your picture - great for instant posting and lasting memories!

More De-tails: Paws for the Preserve is open to all social, vaccinated dogs on a leash, who are current on their town permits.

Event Schedule

PAWS Dog Walk9:00 - 9:30 am - Registration- Participants park, check-in, submit pledge cards and donations. The first 50 dogs registered in advance online will receive a Paws for the Preserve tie dye bandanna on event day. Door prize tickets may be purchased. Those dog walking teams who submit $50 or more in pledges will receive a special gift. Be sure to visit the photo booth to have your fun or silly picture taken with your dog by our staffers!

9:30 - 9:45 am - Dogs and walkers assemble at the Native Plant garden. The gentle hike will be led by Dan Mayer, Schiff's Land Steward; and the fitness hike will be led by Janis Slutsky, Schiff educator. Restrooms available in the Nature Center.

9:45 -11:00 am - Tails on Trails! 90 minute Dog Walk-a-Thon begins. Walkers/teams are encouraged to take pictures along the trails and share pictures on social media using the hashtags; #Pawsforthepreserve and #SupportSchiff.

11:00 - 11:15 am - Walkers/hikers return to the Nature Center. Enjoy beverages and light snacks.

11:15 - 11: 45 am - The 5 Mistakes You're Too Good to Make With Your Dog. Learn valuable advice and tips from our guest speaker, Justine Schurmanns, owner of The Family Dog, an online dog-training Program. Justine will answer your dog training/raising questions!

11:45 - 12:00 pm - Door prize winners announced. Event concludes.

Paws for the Preserve is made possible by the generous support of many local businesses who are sponsoring the event. There are two levels of event sponsorship; Event Sponsor & Event Donor. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click the button below.

Show our sponsors some love! Please support these local businesses!

The Family Dog

Wag Happy Pet Salon

Pet Supplies Plus
Bernardsville Animal Hospital
Beloved Bath
All For My Doggies
The Willow School