30 Days Wild News Article

30 Days Wild News Article

National nature challenge breaks record as over 350,000 people take part in 30 Days Wild
30 Days Wild Child Binoculars © David Tipling - 2020VISION (4)

© David Tipling

This year’s 30 Days Wild is a record breaker. The challenge 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.

She continued, “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.”  

30 Days Wild Tree Hug MJR_6259 Matthew Roberts

© Matthew Roberts

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.

Planting © Katrina Martin - 2020VISION (12)

© Katrina Martin

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 Northern Ireland Mill Strand Integrated school even used the local beach as their wild classroom, 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.

School Children 30 Days Wild © Paul Harris - 2020 VISION (3)

© Paul Harris

30 Days Wild will be back in 2019 with new challenges help everyone ‘go wild’!