Funded by People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild has an enthusiastic fanbase. Last year, more than 760,000 people took part in the challenge, which encourages people to do something wild every day throughout June including over 4,200 people across Cheshire, Halton, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington and Wirral.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust 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 of wildness. 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 raise money for The Wildlife Trusts.
Cel Spellman, ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“30 Days Wild is a brilliant way to explore and develop our relationship with nature and to enjoy new experiences outdoors. Not just that, the benefits that time in nature has for our physical and mental health are quite amazing. I can’t wait to get involved this year, and I hope that people of all ages and backgrounds do the same. It's good for the soul and good for nature.”
Kat Wade, Digital Marketing Officer for Cheshire Wildlife Trust says:
“It’s fantastic each year to see so many people across our region taking part in 30 Days Wild and finding a new appreciation for nature on their doorstep. Experiencing nature doesn’t have to mean ‘big’ adventures. Nature can be found no matter where you work live or play. By signing up, people will be sent everything they need either as a digital pack or through the post, including a new digital calendar to track your activities – so it’s ever been easier to take part and have a wild summer.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, says:
“I’m delighted funding raised by our players is encouraging people across the country to experience the benefits of being outside and beside nature. “Every year we encourage the team at People’s Postcode Lottery to get involved in 30 Days Wild and I love to see all the creative ways people bring a little bit of the wild to their day. Whether it’s having a meeting outside, eating lunch on the grass or picking up a piece of litter on a walk, there are lots of ways – big and small – to go wild and connect with nature.”
A survey of 2021 participans revealed that taking part in 30 Days Wild improved people’s relationship with nature and inspired them to take action.
- 88% said they were very likely to make their garden more wildlife-friendly after participating in 30 Days Wild.
- 74% said they had either already taken action to reduce their carbon footprint, or were very likely to after taking part in 30 Days Wild.
A five-year review of 30 Days Wild participants, run in conjunction with the University of Derby, found that people reported they felt happier and healthier from taking part, with positive effects lasting for at least two months afterwards.
Sign up for 30 Days Wild is free at wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild. There’s a pack of wild ideas with options for schools, care homes and businesses to take part too. Thousands of people share their own top tips and inspiration via the #30DaysWild Facebook and Twitter communities.
