Go wild in June with the Wildlife Trusts

Are you thinking of going wild this summer? You will be joining tens of thousands of people, who will be taking part in 30 Days Wild.

30 Days Wild has been run by the Wildlife Trusts for nine years, and inspires everyone to do something wild every day in June.

Already more than 5,400 participants have signed up in the North West, joining more than 85,000 across the United Kingdom. The Wildlife Trusts are confident that the figures will surpass the 500,000 people who went wild last year.

That figure included 114,245 households, 11,740 schools, 898 care homes and 1,384 businesses.

This year there is a new twist: 30 Days Wild will take participants on a week-by-week adventure moving through five different themes:

• Tune into the senses
• Movement and play
• Learning and discovery
• Helping nature
• Emotional connection to nature

These themes will help guide participants, their family and friends through the challenge helping them reach that 30-day target. They could be tuning into the sound of birdsong, moving through local woods by moonlight, building a den, discovering an unexplored country lane or local park, making time to build a bug hotel or owl box or starting a diary of your day-to-day wildlife sightings.

Activity packs include a calendar, a wild bee poster along with seeds and other materials to inspire participants to do something wild every single day.

The challenge is funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and has grown a huge and dedicated fan base – over three million people have taken part over the last nine years.

Ornithologist and author Mya-Rose Craig, an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “I can't wait to get involved with 30 Days Wild challenge this summer. I’m really into birds and birdwatching so I'll be on the lookout for some special sightings but also love finding new ways to reconnect with nature.

“The 30 Days Wild challenge is a brilliant way to explore and develop our relationship with the outdoors and to enjoy new experiences in the fresh air. I'd love everyone, whatever their age or background, to go outside and enjoy some quality time in nature. Please get involved and tell all your family and friends to join in.”

David Oakes, actor and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We need nature more than ever and 30 Days Wild is a chance to really celebrate our connection to the precious green and blue spaces both on our doorstep and further afield.

“You could turn down the tunes on your next jog in favour of nature’s wild beats, or head to your nearest coastline to explore the rhythms in the rock pools and the sounds of the sand dunes.”

Tom Burditt, Chief Executive Officer of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: “30 Days Wild inspires everyone to get out and discover some of the wonderful nature on their own patch, as well as heading out to other wild places.

“I will certainly be taking part in the challenge, particularly visiting Lancashire Wildlife Trust nature reserves, where you can witness amazing wild spectacles every day of the year. I was actually pond dipping last week for the first time in ages.”

During June, there will be summer solstice celebrations at reserves in Lancashire and Merseyside and the Manchester Festival of Nature in Heaton Park.

The Wildlife Trusts provide free resources for everyone who signs up; just register your interest at www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild.

There is also a 30 Days Wild session planner specially designed for teachers to use in the classroom.