This year’s 30 Days Wild is a record breaker. The challenge, which ends today, saw more participants than ever before. New analysis by The Wildlife Trusts show a 40 per cent increase on last year.
The Wildlife Trusts estimate that over 350,000 people took part in this month’s national nature challenge, pledging to explore nature on their doorstep every day during June.
Lucy McRobert who leads 30 Days Wild for The Wildlife Trusts said:
“We are thrilled that so many people are making time for nature, enjoying daily contact with wildlife and taking action to help it.
“We estimate that if every person who signed up through their home, family, school or business carried out 30 Random Acts of Wildness, that would be an over 10 million special moments with nature. We know that joining in with 30 Days Wild makes people feel happier and healthier and we have also discovered that it’s helping people see beauty in nature.”
The challenge inspired all ages to create their own special times with nature – known as Random Acts of Wildness. From pond dipping and bug hunting to wild swims and sleeping under the stars. Some people grew bee cafes or made homemade wildflower seedballs to help pollinators; others created new wildlife ponds – homes for frogs and newts.
Beach cleans gathered polluting plastic waste and staff and residents at a care home grew plants and enjoyed a new butterfly garden.
Teachers used 30 Days Wild school packs to take lessons outdoors. In the Tees Valley Kirkleatham special school was just one of the many schools that took part making their lessons a little wilder very day , and the first series of BBC Springwatch Wild Academy, a new programme for schools and young people, featured activities based on The Wildlife Trusts’ Random Acts of Wildness.
30 Days Wild will be back in 2019 with new challenges help everyone ‘go wild’!