Residents are being invited to lace up their running shoes this weekend as Ducks Unlimited Canada brings its annual Duck and Run fundraiser back to Kamloops.

The local event will take place at Kenna Cartwright Park on June 6, beginning at 10 a.m., marking the return of the community run after a brief hiatus.

The event is part of a nationwide fundraiser supporting Ducks Unlimited Canada’s wetland conservation efforts, with runs taking place from coast to coast. Participants can choose from a 1-kilometre or 5-kilometre route, while others can take part remotely through a virtual 10,000-step challenge.

“It’s been quite well received by the locals,” said Stewart Forrest, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Manager of Volunteer Relations for Northern Alberta, B.C., the Northwest Territories and Yukon. “We’re super excited to be back into the city, which has always been a major supporter of Ducks Unlimited Canada.”

Forrest noted that Kamloops holds special significance for the organization because Ducks Unlimited Canada’s provincial headquarters are located in the city.

“One of the great things about having this run being revived in Kamloops is that for the entire province of British Columbia, our head office actually resides right there in the beautiful city of Kamloops,” he said. “To have the revival event coming back to that city is very near and dear to our hearts.”

Duck and Run has seen significant growth nationally. According to Ducks Unlimited Canada, more than 1,700 runners and walkers participated in 2025, raising more than $140,000 for wetland conservation projects across the country.

This year, organizers say participation has already surpassed expectations.

“We’ve got over 2,000 people registered nationwide so far, and we’ve exceeded our fundraising goal by almost $40,000 this year,” Forrest said.

Funds raised through registration and peer-to-peer fundraising help support wetland restoration and conservation projects that improve water quality, reduce flood risk, support biodiversity and strengthen local economies.

Wetlands are increasingly being recognized as critical natural infrastructure. They help absorb and store carbon, reduce the impacts of flooding and wildfire, filter water and provide habitat for hundreds of species.

Across Canada, more than 550 animal and bird species rely on wetlands, including nearly 100 species considered at risk.

In British Columbia, Ducks Unlimited Canada is focused on conserving and restoring habitat in key ecosystems such as the Fraser River Estuary, supporting Indigenous-led conservation planning and restoring wetlands in rapidly growing Interior regions. To date, the organization has completed 583 habitat projects in B.C., conserved nearly 500,000 acres of habitat and worked with more than 1,000 landowner partners.

Forrest said the organization’s work depends heavily on fundraising support from the public.

“The majority of the funding that we get comes from our fundraising events,” he said. “To be able to do the work that we do, it literally comes out of our supporters’ generosity.”

Unlike competitive races, the Kamloops event is designed as a family-friendly fun run open to all ages and abilities.

“The one in Kamloops is definitely a fun run,” Forrest said. “It’s only three and a half kilometres.”

Participants under five years old can register for free, while all registrants receive a commemorative medal designed specifically for the 2026 event.

The event is sponsored nationally by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Canada, longtime partners of Ducks Unlimited Canada. Since 2019, Bass Pro Shops has contributed more than $4 million to support conservation efforts across Canada and North America.

Organizers say even those unable to attend in person can still contribute by registering for a virtual challenge or supporting participants through fundraising efforts.

“Worst case scenario, at least your registration dollars go towards helping us with our conservation efforts,” Forrest said.

Registration remains open through Ducks Unlimited Canada’s website.