12 Days Wild is the festive challenge by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), which takes place from 25 December to 5 January. The idea is to do one wild thing every day or night…are you up for the challenge?

You could:

• Track animals by looking for footprints in the mud or snow
• Go stargazing on a clear night
• Take a winter walk at one of our nature reserves
• Make a New Year’s resolution to help nature.

Simply click below to sign up and you’ll receive daily inspirational emails packed with fun ideas to help you embrace winter walks in nature or the magic of night-time stargazing – to lift your mood and much more!

Sign up to 12 Days Wild

BBC TV presenter and Wildlife Trust Vice President Iolo Williams, says:
“From dawn to dusk, winter wildlife is busy all around us. Otters are always up early and if you see a trail of bubbles in the water, you’ll know they’ve spotted you first. Night-hunting barn owls venture out on cold winter days to find extra food and will woosh past you in the winter sun. Then, at dusk, starlings gather in the sky forming ever-shifting shapes and patterns known as murmurations. There are so many wildlife adventures to be had during 12 Days Wild – I hope you enjoy them.”

Liz Shearer, Community Engagement Director at BBOWT says:
“To mark 12 Days Wild this year I’ll be pledging to connect with nature for at least ten minutes every day. Whether it be a walk amongst the winter trees, watching birds in a tree across a cold and frosty park, or noticing the clouds on a bright day, I often find that stepping outside and taking a moment to connect with wildlife is a powerful way to recharge my batteries. 12 Days Wild is a great opportunity to create some space for yourself, which at this time of year can feel like a real gift.

“Committing to something manageable will make it even more enjoyable. Observe how weather changes the landscapes and check in with yourself – how do you feel within them? Noticing our own relationship with the natural world is the first step to taking action to safeguard it. So, I encourage you to stop for a moment, listen, and see what wild means to you.”

Spending time in nature – night or day – is proven to help people feel happier and healthier. A Wildlife Trusts’ survey found that participants of the 30 Days Wild summer challenge felt 56% more connected to nature after taking part, and that it boosted the health of participants by an average of 30%. 

So why not beat those post festive blues, shake off those cobwebs, and get wild this winter? 

Sign up now!