Thousands of people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire will be waking up the wild way next month, as they kick start their 30 Days Wild adventure with the Wildlife Trusts.
This year the UK’s biggest nature challenge starts on June 1st with a mass outdoor breakfast – with nature lovers getting closer to butterflies, birds, grass and sunshine, while munching on their toast and cereal.
Last year more than 6,000 people across the three counties took part in the national 30 Days Wild challenge and this year Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) hopes even more people across the patch will go wild this summer.
All you have to do to take part is pledge to do one wild thing every day during the month of June – ‘random act of wildness’ include listening to birdsong, taking wildlife photographs, going on a bug hunt, jumping in puddles or planting seeds. You can choose what to do – as long as it’s wild!
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust said:
The past year has shown that we all need a bit of nature in our lives – especially on our own doorsteps. We’re working to ensure there is more nature everywhere – from wilder community spaces and urban verges, to thriving hedgerows, nature-friendly gardens and healthy waterways.
30 Days Wild is an inspirational reminder to explore nature and to value the amazing wildlife we have in our three counties – so why not get out there and go wild with us this June? Our research has shown that if you get closer to nature every day for a whole month, you really do feel happier and healthier. That’s the science – but 30 Days Wild is also great fun for people of all ages, it’s easy and it’s totally free!
The Big Wild Breakfast on June 1st is new for 2021 and everyone taking part in the kick-off event is encouraged to see how much wildlife they can spot in 30 minutes – it’s like a big breakfast bio-blitz!
You can sign up for 30 Days Wild at wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild and get a FREE pack including:
- Big Wild Breakfast nature ‘bingo’ placemat to download
- Bundle of educational and fun resources
- Top technical tips from wildlife webcam experts
- Details on how to record your breakfast bio-blitz nature spots
- Wildlife guides, how-to guides, a fun quiz event and much more.
There are also packs of wild ideas with options for schools, care homes and businesses to take part too. Thousands of people share their own top tips and inspiration via the 30 Days Wild Facebook and Twitter communities.
The 30 Days Wild annual challenge from The Wildlife Trusts has had more than a million participants to date – a record 650,000 people took part nationally in 2020 alone – and it’s hoped even more people will go wild this year.
Research has shown that 30 Days Wild is proven to boost your health, happiness and sense of connection to nature. In 2020, a five-year review of 30 Days Wild participants, run in conjunction with the University of Derby, found that people reported they felt happier and healthier from taking part, with positive effects lasting for up to two months afterwards.
Mya-Rose Craig, the ornithologist and campaigner known as Birdgirl and Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, said:
I’m a big fan of 30 Days Wild– I love being part of the surge of enthusiasm that emanates from everyone involved! Get creative and find 30 new ways to be inspired by the beauty of the outdoors and nature or be entertained by trying out new nature activities. It is especially important if you live in the city as nature is all around, just waiting to be found. I really want to try sketching a bird this year and I can’t wait to kick-off my wild June with the Big Wild Breakfast. I plan to take out my bowl of Shreddies, alongside my binoculars which are always by my side, and enjoy a bit of garden birding while I munch.
So why not get in touch with your wild side and sign up for 30 Days Wild this year and get a FREE pack with activities to try at wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild.
There’s a full list of nature reserves here: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves
There’s an exciting list of things you can to take action to help nature here: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/actions
Photo above: Boy running © David Tipling – 2020VISION (2).jpg
