THOUSANDS of adults and children in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are this week starting a month-long challenge to get healthier and help wildlife by reconnecting with nature on their doorsteps.

More than 3,000 individuals, families, schools, care homes and companies across the three counties have already signed up to take part in this year's 30 Days Wild.

The national initiative, run by The Wildlife Trusts, challenges people to do just one 'wild act' every day in June. That can be going for a walk in the park, watching the birds from a window, picking up a piece of litter, taking a photograph of wildlife or even just signing an environmental petition.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is encouraging people to share photographs, videos and stories of what they get up to on social media – and the long bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to get started.

Community Engagement Director Liz Shearer said:
"This challenge is not just aimed at nature lovers! We know there are loads of people in our area who love wildlife and that's brilliant, but the idea of 30 Days Wild is to get people who don't normally connect with nature to try doing just one small thing each day and see what a difference it makes.

"Studies have shown that spending time in nature on a regular basis is good for our mental and physical health in all kinds of ways - it can help to lower our blood pressure and heart rate and help us feel calmer. That connection can also inspire us to help save the natural world from the threats it now faces."

Last year more than 760,000 signed up to take the challenge across the UK, with the 4,000 challengers across our three counties including more than 675 schools, 35 care homes and 35 businesses.

Participants shared photos and videos of themselves having their lunch in the wild, paddling their feet in a stream, gazing at the clouds and reading books about the natural world. Everyone who signs up gets a free pack bursting with wild ideas and fun activities to keep going through the whole month.

A survey of 2021 participants revealed that the pandemic positively affected their appreciation of the natural world, and that by connecting with nature, people were inspired to take action for the world around them:

▪ 78% of participants said the pandemic made them value nature more

▪ 88% said they were very likely to make their garden more wildlife-friendly after participating in 30 Days Wild, or had already done so

▪ 74% said they had either already taken action to reduce their carbon footprint, or were very likely to after taking part in 30 Days Wild

Actor and presenter Cel Spellman is backing 30 Days Wild this June, citing the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.

Cel Spellman, ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“30 Days Wild is a brilliant way to explore and develop our relationship with nature and to enjoy new experiences outdoors. Not just that, the benefits that time in nature has for our physical and mental health are quite amazing. I can’t wait to get involved this year, and I hope that people of all ages and backgrounds do the same. It's good for the soul and good for nature.”

Different activity packs are available now for care homes, schools, families and individuals. The household pack contains a packet of wildflower seeds, and there is also a digital version available. To get your free pack, bursting with fun ideas, sign up online at wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild and get ready to go wild.