30 days Wild Campaign

30 Days Wild Campaign

Throughout the month of June, Cheshire Wildlife Trust is inspiring people to take the time to celebrate nature each day – via the national 30 Days Wild campaign.

Research carried out over recent years, during the campaign, has proved that observing natural beauty makes people happier and want to care for it.

"Signing up to the challenge is now open," said Charlotte Harris, CEO at Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

"We'd love everyone in our region to give this a go. The challenges can be as simple or as complicated as someone wants to get – from appreciating a flower they pass on the way to work, or eating lunch outside and listening to bird song, through to learning how to identify wildflowers or insects. No matter how small the action, it all counts!"

Once people sign-up they will be sent a free pack containing a booklet of inspirational ideas for 'Random Acts of Wildness', wildflower seeded paper to sow, a wall chart to record their activities and wild stickers.

There are special packs for schools too, with outdoor lesson plans and giant 'Random Acts of Wildness' cards. Businesses can join in as well, with tailored packs to download which will bring the 'wild' into the workplace.

Academics at the University of Derby who have monitored the challenge since it began in 2015 have discovered that spending time in nature makes us feel good

30 Days Wild encourages people to notice nature on their doorsteps every single day and gives them a multitude of exciting and fun ways to do so.

Dr Miles Richardson, director of psychology at the University of Derby explained: "Over the past three years we've repeatedly found that taking part in 30 Days Wild improves health and happiness.

"We respond to beauty – it restores us and balances our emotions. This, in turn, encourages people to do more to help wildlife and take action for nature."

The results from the study of 30 Days Wild also confirm that the benefits of the challenge last long after the month has ended. There are indications that the beneficial impact of taking part could even last an entire year.

The theme for 30 Days Wild 2018 is all about helping wildlife in neighbourhoods, and the pack has inspiring ideas for sharing the challenge locally – including: creating hedgehog holes in fences, putting up bird and bat boxes and carrying out litter picks.

As part of the campaign, Cheshire Wildlife Trust will be hosting a fun day out at Marbury Country Park on Sunday 17th June, where people can take part in a variety of wildlife-themed activities.

The trust will also be celebrating the campaign on their social media – encouraging everyone to share their activities and what they love about wildlife.

People can join the challenge by signing up at www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/30days.

30 Days WildCheshire Wildlife Trust