Over the last couple of years, the nation’s love and appreciation of nature has sky rocketed. More people than ever before are tuned in to a whole new world, where life is far from ordinary. Nature is a live theatre of unpredictable performances. If you’re a fan of Springwatch on TV you’ll know what I mean! If you have access to a garden or park, you’ll see there’s drama all day long.

No matter how you look at it, all roads lead back to life being tougher than ever right now, mentally, physically and emotionally; and we’re all looking for ways to cope. National lockdowns impacted our lives in a way that we will all carry with us, a story for future generations. Each of us has our own tale to tell.

Let’s face facts, with every decade that passes, political and social order ebbs and flows - often with devastating outcomes, as we’re seeing right now in Ukraine and closer to home – as well as soaring inflation and the cost of energy and food, many of us are being pushed to make unimaginable choices. 

We all need a survival plan. Right at the top of mine is a daily dose of nature. 30 Days Wild is a great way to get started. It’s a legitimate reason to do silly things to keep you sane. Connecting to nature is clinically proven to improve physical and mental health. You can even get it on prescription in some parts of the country.

I love nature in its own right. Since childhood I’ve been curious of creatures and how they live and work in their complex and secretive world. As a child I loved playing in nature, throwing mud at my sister or chasing her with a worm! Hanging out by the river on a hot sunny afternoon, just sitting, watching fish rise now and then, to hoover up unsuspecting insects close to the surface.

So fascinated was I by the fish and insect relationship that I took up fly fishing and even learnt to tie my own flies - meaning to make a fly that mimics ones found in or on water. Making them is a whole other story. An artistic release I like to think! Nevertheless, the emotional attachment was all bound up with my love of nature. I didn’t really want to catch a fish – just to be closer to the natural world and to enjoy the deep sense of wellbeing that being immersed in nature brings.

My life was different, I was connected to a world not seen by everyone. At the age of 10 I realised not everyone valued wildlife in the way that I did. My cousin, growing up on a farm, was given an air rifle. He used to aim it at the sparrows, just to taunt me. He may as well have shot me through the heart. Children can be so cruel.

That was then and this is now, but those memories stay with you. Living rurally, I was lucky to have access to nature. A lot of people don’t and I appreciate that, but they should. No matter where you live, nature should be part of your life. We humans evolved as part of nature - we are nature. This is why we’re calling on government through our Nature for Everyone campaign to make sure that nature is factored in to the design of new housing developments. Nature and people both need space to live, breathe and thrive.

30 Days Wild is The Wildlife Trusts' annual challenge where we challenge everyone to do one wild thing a day throughout the month of June. And guess what, you don’t have to be a nerd to get started!

Firstly, you’re not on your own. There are plenty of ideas and information available to get you started. You can sign up for a free activity pack to get lots of hints and tips of what to do. Start by taking a walk, stop and listen to bird song; listen to the rustle of trees in the wind; walk barefoot on the lawn; make a daisy chain...

30 Days Wild shows us all that getting in touch with our wild side makes us happier and healthier. So best of luck with going wild this summer. I’m right with you!

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