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Experience nature anew with 30 Days Wild: a month-long immersive adventure from The Wildlife Trusts
Get closer to nature using all your senses in June for 30 Days Wild
We might be familiar with the visual beauty of nature, like the eye-popping colours of a butterfly wing or a spectacular sunset, but have you ever sniffed a wild cowslip or heard the ‘bubbling’ of a cuckoo?
Throughout the month of June, The Wildlife Trusts are inviting everyone to get closer to nature by taking part in 30 Days Wild. This might be through a sensory safari near your home, or being inspired by how wildlife uses sight, sound, smell, touch and taste to survive. Did you know that some flowers have evolved to look like bees? Or that birds can see some colours that we can’t?
A regular feature in summer diaries for over a decade, 30 Days Wild is made possible thanks to players of Postcode Lottery. It has attracted more than three million participants and helped people to get outside, to enjoy and connect with nature as part of their everyday lives.
There are separate packs for families and adults. The family activity packs will include nature-inspired trading cards to swap and collect, helping to uncover fun facts about the UK’s beautiful wildlife and where to find species like hedgehogs, butterflies and birds.
And brand new this year: The Wildlife Trusts have teamed up with Acamar Films and Bing to create a new range of fun, inspiring activity resources, designed especially for the next generation of young nature explorers. With much-loved children’s TV character Bing by their side, children can enjoy simple outdoor adventures, spot wildlife, use their imagination and make their own lasting memories of being in nature.
This year’s challenge sees fun, distinctive, themed activities to take inspiration from each week, with no pressure to do something every single day. For example:
Help nature where you live | Grow wildlife friendly plants, leaving food and water out for wildlife, or getting involved with a local nature group.
Engage your senses | Learn the art of ‘bird listening’ and get familiar with your local birdsong, try forest bathing, or go on a rainbow hunt looking for items in nature of different colours.
Learn about the amazing wildlife around us | Download our spotter guide and see how many creatures you can find, join a wildlife talk and learn from experts, or read a book about wildlife.
Get creative with nature | Start a nature journal to record what you see and hear or create a wild picture using fallen objects.
Liz Bonnin, President of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Every year I look forward to 30 Days Wild to strengthen my connection to nature, as well as to wildlife lovers across the British Isles. It makes our lives a little wilder - whether it’s through learning something new about an amazing creature or giving back to nature by turning a window box into a pollinator pit stop. You don’t have to go far to find something wonderful, especially in June when nature is on full display.”
Packed with plenty of ideas and hints and tips, find out more about 30 Days Wild at wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild. Share your discoveries, projects and wild moments on social media to join thousands of others taking part in this celebration of nature across the UK this June.
Credit: © Evie and Tom Photography