Staffordshire residents, schools and businesses invited to take a walk on the wild side this June

Funded by People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild has an enthusiastic fan base. Last year, more than 760,000 people took part in the challenge, including over 3,450 people across Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) is inviting people to take part again this year and do one wild thing a day throughout June with the aim of bringing people closer to nature.

Last year supporters completed over 16 million acts for wildlife. Popular activities include wildlife-watching, breakfasting outdoors each day, and listening to birdsong. 30 Days Wild fans interpret the challenge in different ways – from planting for pollinators to taking on sporting challenges, to raising money for The Wildlife Trusts.

Other suggested wild acts include litter picking in your local area, bug-hunting, and even taking on a fundraising challenge for wildlife. When surveyed, most participants said their favourite activities were those that directly helped nature, or those that expanded their knowledge of the natural world.  

Christine Harding, Marketing and Communications Officer for SWT, says: 

“I’m really looking forward to getting involved with 30 Days Wild this summer. I’ll actually be a first time participant myself and welcome the opportunity to make time for nature for my own personal enjoyment, as well as for my work!

“I think the best thing about this challenge is that no matter where you live, countryside, city, or anywhere between, there are lots of ways to get involved. You can also take it at your own pace, because no matter how small the act, it’s still a positive step for wildlife. Or you can really throw yourself into it and use it as an intense lifestyle challenge; it’s really adaptable.”

A survey of 2021 participants revealed that the pandemic positively affected their appreciation of the natural world, and that by connecting with nature, people were inspired to take action for the world around them: 

• 78 per cent of participants said the pandemic made them value nature more
• 88 per cent said they were very likely to make their garden more wildlife-friendly after taking part in 30 Days Wild, or had already done so
• 74 per cent said they had either already taken action to reduce their carbon footprint, or were very likely to after taking part in 30 Days Wild.  

30 Days Wild is for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. For both parents and children, schools to care homes, and working professionals; participants come from all walks of life. 

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says: 

“We’re thrilled that our annual nature challenge has become so popular – two million people have taken part so far and it continues to grow every year. We now know that the challenge not only connects you with nature, but that keeping it wild for the whole of June will actually make you happier and healthier too.”  

Here in Staffordshire SWT will be hosting a series of events throughout the month to inspire people taking the challenge, such as guided wildflower and rare tree walks and bug surveying. Details of the events, and how to sign-up, can be found at www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events

To sign-up for the 30 Days Wild challenge head to https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild