National Nature Challenge Breaks Record

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• National Nature Challenge Breaks Record

29 June 2018

Over 350,000 have taken part in June's 30 Days Wild challenge - making it a record breaker. The Wildlife Trusts says its figures show a 40 per cent increase on last year.

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.

“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 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.”

Random Acts of Wildness

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.

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.

Picture: ©Bertie Gregory. 30 Days Wild will be back in 2019.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis | Published 29 June 2018

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