Children going wild: a young boy does a spot of gardening as part of 30 Days Wild. Picture: Evie and Tom Photography
Could you do one thing to connect with nature every day for a month?
That is the 30 Days Wild challenge being laid down by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
Whether it's hunting bugs, growing flowers, paddling your feet in a stream or having a cup of tea in the garden, the charity wants to see if we can all do one wild thing every day in June - and feel happier and healthier as a result.
A girl hugging a tree. Picture: Eleanor Church
The Wildlife Trusts challenge people across the UK to join 30 Days Wild each year, but this year there is a new twist with five weekly themes:
These themes aim to help guide families and friends through the month and reach the 30-day target, whether by tuning into the sound of birdlife, moving through a woodland by moonlight, building a den, discovering an unexplored country lane, making time to build a bug hotel or owl box or starting a diary of wildlife sightings.
This year’s FREE 30 Days Wild activity packs include a wild bee poster along with seeds and other materials to inspire participants to do something wild every single day.
BBOWT Chief Executive Estelle Bailey having a cup of tea. Picture: Chris Deeney
Estelle Bailey, BBOWT Chief Executive, said:
"Sadly a lot of people – especially children – are becoming more disconnected from nature: 30 Days Wild is a fantastic way to start rebuilding our natural bond with our environment and inspire all of us to protect wildlife. Smelling, touching and connecting with nature is so important for our sanity and general wellbeing.
"We also know that spending time with nature can make a huge difference to our health and wellbeing: walking or cycling in green spaces is great exercise, but even sitting in a park, garden or field can help bring our heart rate and blood pressure down and help reduce anxiety. Being present, exercising in fresh air and nature-rich spaces is the best form of healthcare on offer when it comes to feeling happier and healthier.”
The initiative is funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and has grown a huge and dedicated fan base – over three million people have taken part over a decade.
Last year more than 500,000 people took part in the challenge including 114,245 households, 11,740 schools, 898 care homes and 1,384 businesses. Popular activities included wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong.
People also tried bug hunting, fruit picking, growing plants and flowers, exploring a nature reserve, creating a mini pond or going on a beach or river walk.
Wildlife Trusts ambassador David Oakes. Picture: Martin Behrman
Jo Richards, head of communications at The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge in June has to be one of the highlights of my year! What better an excuse to go out and enjoy the UK’s great outdoors, which is simply buzzing with nature’s activities, whether it be wildflowers blooming, butterflies fluttering or skylarks bouncing up and down. I love the challenge of making myself set aside at least five minutes a day for thirty days in a row to encounter something new in nature or perhaps take a little longer to do something that’ll help wildlife where I live. 30 Days Wild is always a big hit, but I hope that even more people will join us this year to bask in the glory of our wonderful wildlife.”
