BBOWT

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 the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.

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.

The Wildlife Trusts are challenging people across the UK to join 30 Days Wild each year but this year there is a new twist with five weekly themes:

• Tune into the senses

• Movement and play

• Learning and discovery

• Helping nature

• Emotional connection to nature

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.

Free activity packs include a wild bee poster along with seeds and other materials to inspire participants.

The initiative is funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and is growing.

Last year, more than 500,000 people took part in the challenge including families, schools, care homes and 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 and going on a beach or river walk.

Estelle Bailey, BBOWT chief executive, says: “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.

“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.

“Exercising in fresh air and nature-rich spaces is the best form of healthcare on offer.”

Pete Hughes