Join Kate Humble and Surrey Wildlife Trust and go wild in June
Nick Upton
Naturalists, TV presenters and authors are backing The Wildlife Trusts’ national nature challenge to do something ‘wild’ every day in June.
30 Days Wild encourages people to connect with the beauty in nature on their doorsteps every single day. New research shows taking part improves health, happiness and conservation behaviour.
Kate Humble, TV presenter, wildlife, nature and science programmes, said: “I have got a challenge, I want you – throughout the month of June – to go outside every day! That’s 30 whole days going outside. Why wouldn’t you? Just go wild in June!”
Research by the University of Derby shows that 30 Days Wild is unique in improving people’s perception of beauty in nature, and that noticing natural beauty makes people happier and want to care for it.
Dr Miles Richardson, Director of Psychology, University of Derby* explained:
“Tuning-in to the everyday beauty of nature becomes part of a journey which connects us more deeply to the natural world. As people’s appreciation of natural beauty increases, so does their 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.”
So far thousands of Surrey residents have signed up to 30 Days Wild, individually or through schools and corporates. Surrey Wildlife Trust hopes to encourage even more people than last year to take part across the county. Across the UK over 54,000 people have already signed up to go wild in June and The Wildlife Trust hopes to reach over a quarter of a million people this year.
Charlotte Magowan, marketing and Communications Manager for Surrey Wildlife Trust, said:
“30 Days Wild is a lovely way to get closer to nature and marvel at the everyday wildlife that lives all around you. Sit quietly and enjoy watching birds at feeder or take a moment to notice the bees pollinating wild flowers. Create a log pile house for minibeasts or get together with your neighbours to create hedgehog highways. No matter how small the action, it all counts!”
For the first time this year the Trust is holding a Big Wild Weekend on June 16-17 to inspire everyone to go wild. Guildford Goes Wild returns to Guildford High Street on the Saturday, while the Trust’s Bay Pond reserve in Godstone is holding a family open day on the Sunday. And there are a host of 30 Days Wild walks, talks and family events throughout June.
With Surrey Wildlife Trust you can also sign up for Wild Tots at Nower Wood near Leatherhead, for forest school inspired adventures, Forest Bathing at Newlands Corner, designed to calm the body and mind, or discover a chalk grassland habitat at Howell Hill in Cheam.
Taking part in 30 Days Wild is FREE, open to people of all ages and the Trust hopes schools, families, businesses, community groups and individuals will all sign up to go wild. You’ll get a FREE pack crammed with wild inspiration – a booklet of ‘Random Acts of Wildness’, a wall chart to record your wild activities, stickers and wildflower seeded paper to sow. It’s full of great ideas to re-wild your street - from carving hedgehog holes in fences, to putting up bird boxes or doing a local litter pick.
There are also special packs for schools with inspiring outdoor lesson plans and giant Random Acts of Wildness cards to get children closer to nature. Businesses can join in too, with downloadable packs to bring the ‘wild’ to work, which include posters, calendars and even bunting and selfie props!
Don’t forget to share the fun of #30DaysWild with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. It’s time to go wild!