A walk on the wild side

If we have learned anything from lockdown it is the value of nature in our daily lives. Restrictions may be easing but many people by now are likely to be feeling a little frayed or deflated.

So take a breath, look outside and prepare to be invigorated by what is billed as the UK’s biggest nature challenge.

Run by The Wildlife Trusts, 30 Days Wild inspires people to engage with nature every day during the month of June.

More than a million people have taken part in the challenge during the last five years. And this June, The Wildlife Trusts believe it will prove more popular than ever, as the UK battles with social restrictions and people look for ways to keep spirits up and entertain young families.

Those taking part are furnished with ideas, wallcharts and activity sheets offering easy ways of enjoying nature whatever their location.

These ‘random acts of wildness’ range from walking barefoot on grass, to sitting beneath a tree or watching birds on a feeder.

Various packs are available catering for families, schools/ groups, businesses and care homes.

This year the campaign, which runs throughout the

UK, is 100 per cent digital and people of all ages can sign up and download free resources including wildlife gardening tips from Monty Don, beginner’s guide to wildlife photography from awardwinning George Stoyle and wild fitness ideas from Zanna van Dijk.

“With 30 Days Wild there’s so much fun, enchantment and inspiration to be had,” said Dom Higgins, head of health and education at The Wildlife Trusts. “Connecting with nature every day, in an easy way, is a must have for our own wellbeing. That’s why The Wildlife Trusts are campaigning for better, wilder places near to where we all live and work so that everyone, everywhere, can enjoy nature on the doorstep.

“Dare to be wild this June! We want to encourage people who are least likely to spend time in nature in their daily lives to take part in the 30 Days Wild challenge and give it a go – those people who do not feel much of a connection to nature – because we know that they’re the ones who will benefit most from doing it. “Our lives have been changed by coronavirus and this is giving people a reason to reflect on our relationship with nature, the way we live our lives and how we spend our free time. Precious moments outside on a daily walk help us to relax and feel happier. Even watching wildlife from a window, or on a webcam, connects us to that sense of being a part of nature, not apart from it.” The merit of spending time in nature is well known but a recent review from The Wildlife Trusts has revealed the lasting impact of 30 Days Wild on those taking part.

The feel-good factor from simple daily contact with nature can last beyond the 30 days, once initiated, according to the review, which is based on surveys completed by people taking part in the challenge.

Building on three peer-reviewed papers, the University of Derby evaluated survey responses from more than 1,000 people over five years and discovered the enduring effects on well-being from participation in the challenge – the positive effects are still felt two months after it is over.

The results of the review show that taking part in 30 Days Wild not only significantly increases people’s wellbeing and heightened sense of nature – but that these positive increases are sustained beyond the life of the challenge. The people who benefit most are those who have a relatively weak connection with nature at the start.

Professor Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby, said: “This five-year evaluation of 30 Days Wild has produced remarkable results – it shows the positive power of simple engagement with nature. We were thrilled to see that the significant increases in people’s health and happiness were still felt even two months after the 30 Days Wild challenge was over.

“The Wildlife Trusts have shown the importance of doing simple things to enjoy everyday nature and that it can bring considerable benefits. What really stood out was how the people who didn’t feel a connection with nature at the outset were the ones who benefitted most from taking part in 30 Days Wild.”

The Big Wild Weekend (June 20-21), which is part of the challenge, will focus on nature at home - on June 20 people are invited to camp in their back garden or create a wild and beautiful nature den indoors.