Countdown starts to the UK’s biggest nature challenge – 30 Days Wild – this June!

• The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild returns with new and inspiring ways for people to connect with nature.  Sign-up online from 16th April!  
• 400,000 took part in 30 Days Wild last year – they did over 10 million ‘random acts of wildness’ – it’s the UK’s biggest nature challenge
• All our lives are better if they’re a bit wild – evidence shows that people feel happier when they are closer to nature

The Wildlife Trusts’ are counting down to the start of this year’s 30 Days Wild – June’s national nature challenge to do something wild every day for a whole month. Back for its sixth year, 2020’s challenge is wilder than ever!

Sign-up opens on The Wildlife Trusts’ website from 16th April – so people can receive their free and colourful activity pack in plenty of time to plan 30 Days Wild activities and be ready to start on Monday 1st June. 

30 Days Wild is for everyone - wherever you live, whatever your age! This year’s activity pack includes wildflower seeds, a wallchart and a passport log-book with ideas and stickers to record wonderful wild actions - from crafting with nature or going plastic-free for a day, to taking action for insects by planting your seeds. Special packs have also been created for schools and youth groups, workplaces and care homes, so everyone can take part. 

Research shows that taking part in 30 Days Wild is good for you. People say they felt happier, healthier and more connected to nature after taking part.* Studies also show that when people feel connected to nature, they are more likely to care for it. 

Dr Amir Khan, The Wildlife Trusts’ health ambassador and TV doctor, says: 

“Being outdoors and enjoying nature is fantastic. Not only to see what’s going on around us, but also for our physical and mental health. A lot of research has shown that spending – even a short amount of time – embracing nature, can have a positive effect on our health.

“In the current nature and climate emergency, we’re seeing more people affected by eco-anxiety  feeling overwhelmed by the damage to our environment and not knowing what to do to help. This, along with other stresses, isn’t good for us. But with 30 Days Wild from the Wildlife Trusts you can incorporate some simple nature-based activities into your daily life and feel the benefit. These activities can lower blood pressure, take our minds away from our day-to-day concerns and help us relax, as well as providing simple ways to help wildlife.

“Why not join us and do something wild everyday this June?”

James McVey of The Vamps says:

“Sometimes it can be hard in our busy lives to make a little time for us and get outside. We can get wrapped up in what we're doing, forgetting the incredible and wonderful things that are happening around us. That's why I look forward to June and The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge. It reminds me, whether I’m at home, on the road or in the studio that outside the door is the magic of nature. Doing something, anything, each day to appreciate this helps me feel connected and grounded to our amazing world.”

2019 highlights included:

• A record 400,000 people took part – the highest number yet, showing the challenge is growing in popularity every year since it began in 2015.
• Over 9,000 schools and nearly a quarter of a million children took part. 
• Thousands of people shared and responded to activities across social media using #30DaysWild.
• Last year was the first year an activity pack for care homes was produced – read this blog about the benefits felt by one care home. A pilot study with homes in 2018 reported that their residents felt calmer, happier and even had fewer falls.  

Trusts across the UK will also be organising events to take place over the Big Wild Weekend from the 21st and 22nd June. There will be fabulous wildlife-watching and celebration events across the UK designed to bring people closer to wildlife where they live. Book yourself into Yorkshire’s Puffin Festival, join a quest to spot Norfolk’s swallowtail butterfly or discover wonderful wildlife hidden in the heart of London! 

Jo Richards, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of communications says:

“30 Days Wild is so much fun! June is one of the best times of the year to see wildlife – it’s the month when everything’s fluttering, singing, nesting or blooming! Thousands of people look forward to taking part – including me – sharing their special random acts of wildness. 

“We know that whilst we love our wildlife, it really is in need of our help. So this year, we’re not only providing ideas to help people feel closer to the wildlife on their doorstep, but also sharing simple actions that they can take to help care for it.”

Sign-up to take part in 30 Day Wild! www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild.  Join in and follow the action on Twitter and Instagram #30DaysWild 

ENDS

Images are available for use with this story from this Dropbox. All images are for one-off use only in connection with this story and The Wildlife Trusts. All photographer must be credited please. 

Editor’s notes

*University of Derby’s evaluation of 30 Days Wild 

• The University of Derby have monitored participants of 30 Days Wild since it began in 2015. A summary of the evaluations done of the participants of 30 Days Wild 2016 and 2017 are here.   
• 30 Days Wild: Development and Evaluation of a Large-Scale Nature Engagement Campaign to Improve Well-Being by Miles Richardson, Adam Cormack, Lucy McRobert, Ralph Underhill was published Feb 2016. Online here.     

30 Days Wild sign-up packs 

• Sign-up to take part in 30 Day Wild! www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild  
• Free packs will be sent to the first 70,000 people who sign up – digital packs available thereafter.