Could you do one thing to connect with nature every day for a month and feel happier and healthier as a result? That is the 30 Days Wild challenge being laid down by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
This June promises to be a bumper 30 Days Wild – people of all ages and abilities are urged to participate and BBOWT are offering FREE herb seeds and an inspirational guide to everyone who signs up to do one wild thing every day during the month.
There are also special packs for schools, businesses and care homes.
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of BBOWT, said:
“With wildlife in crisis across the UK, it seems fair to ask - are we still a nation of nature lovers? I believe the answer is a resounding yes. This year is the tenth anniversary of both 30 Days Wild and my own time with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. Over those ten years I’ve had the privilege of seeing our communities’ commitment to restoring nature where they live and enjoying all it has to offer. While our first year of running 30 Days Wild saw just over five hundred people sign up across our three counties, last year more than four thousand took on the challenge, which is brilliant.
“This momentum comes as no great surprise, connecting with nature is so important for our sanity and general wellbeing. My top tips to enjoy 30 Days Wild: Sit, walk, run, lay on the grass, look up, look down, fix on something, don’t be afraid to touch or smell it. Smile at the sun, throw your arms out in the rain, get wet, walk barefoot on grass and bare earth, have a cuddle with a tree - be in the moment.”
Take a little time every day in June to notice nature around you. Photo by Chris Deeney
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild encourages individuals, families, schools, and businesses to connect with nature on a daily basis during what many argue is the best month for wildlife spotting. It could be going on a snail safari, eating your breakfast outdoors or closing your eyes to listen for bird song, to more adventurous endeavours such as outdoor yoga or forest bathing. This year's participants will receive a special tenth anniversary pack, designed to make their 30 days even more fun.
The tenth anniversary marks a real milestone for The Wildlife Trusts’ flagship 30 Days Wild initiative. The nature challenge has grown from 12,000 participants nationally in its first year to over half a million last year alone. 30 Days Wild has helped people to get outside, enjoy and connect with nature as part of their everyday lives.
Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of nature on well-being. A study found a significant increase in people's health, happiness, and connection to nature through participating in 30 Days Wild. People reported feeling more relaxed, reduced stress levels, and a greater motivation to protect wildlife which lasted long after the campaign ended.
We all need access to nature. Photo by Eleanor Church
So why not get in touch with your wild side this summer? Download your FREE activity pack and join the wild challenge.
