This past year, extreme weather across the world has brought to light the reality of climate change, and with more stories of wildlife decline, it is hard not to lose heart. But change really can happen from the bottom up, and what we need is to be inspired. So, the easiest starting point is to lead by example and engage with nature.

Get outside, take your kids on a hike, watch David Attenborough, grow some vegetables, learn about where your food comes from, experiment with plant-based recipes, notice as the seasons change, plant a window box, set up a green book or film club with your friends, plan a camping trip, get up early to watch the sunrise or try volunteering with BBOWT – there are lots of opportunities on our nature reserves, at our visitor centres, with our learning team and in our offices. The possibilities are endless, and the New Year’s resolutions that stick are the ones with the fewest restrictions.

Another nature friendly resolution is to get involved with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), where you can buy directly from farmers, often at lower prices. In exchange for a small fee, you can receive a share of the harvest, usually in the form of a weekly or seasonal veg box. Some farms even allow volunteers to help in exchange for produce. Getting involved in a CSA can be incredibly rewarding as it gives you a direct connection to community, the land and the food it produces. And if you’re wondering what to do with a box of unusual veggies, Christina Soteriou’s upcoming cookbook, Big Veg Energy, is packed with creative and delicious plant-based recipes.

Another resolution worth considering is buying second-hand. This might sound simple, but it is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your environmental footprint. Buying second-hand keeps things in circulation and out of landfills, and when it comes to bespoke, quality items, shopping from charity shops or vintage stores often means you find beautiful pieces for a fraction of the price.

Speaking of reducing footprints, it's worth thinking about the impact of our digital habits. It’s easy to forget, but every time we stream a video or send an email, we’re consuming energy. Much of that energy is still generated from fossil fuels, which means that our digital lives contribute to carbon emissions too.

This year, making a conscious effort to reduce your digital footprint is a low-effort resolution that can make a real difference. Unsubscribing from unnecessary email lists, unplugging devices once they’re fully charged, and reducing overall screen time can all help cut the energy consumption tied to our online activities. If you’re looking to get off Instagram this new year, it’s a win-win…

Beyond individual actions, an impactful resolution to make is to engage with nature through collective action. We need more nature everywhere, for everyone, and when you show up to help, you inspire those around you to do the same, thus building a stronger movement. BBOWT’s community network helps bring local groups together so they can learn from each other through online meetups, training and events. Whether you’re interested in starting a group from scratch or looking for help to build an existing group, you’re welcome to become part of this free networking group.

Find out more about Team Wilder

So, the most important resolution for 2025 may just be the simplest one: to get outside, get involved, and get inspired. Let’s go back to basics and make it the year we establish a deeper connection with the world around us. After all, when we care about something, we take care of it.