Going Nuts for Nature: 30 Days Wild

The UK’s biggest nature challenge, 30 Days Wild, is on course for a record-breaking year following an unprecedented number of people signing-up to take part so far.

Last year, more than 760,000 took part in the challenge, which encourages people to do something wild every day throughout June. 30 Days Wild is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

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. Treasured moments from the challenge include:

The participant who posted packets of wildflower seeds to their neighbours
The person who woke up 5am every day to catch the sunrise and dawn chorus
The enthusiast who crocheted a blanket with 30 wildlife species – one square a day*

Actor and presenter Cel Spellman is backing 30 Days Wild this June, citing the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.

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.”

Rachel Schofield, Communications, Campaigns & Marketing Manager at Shropshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“30 Days Wild is such a simple idea that anyone and everyone can get involved with. Nature needs our help now and there are so many little things we can do that can make a big difference. But it is nature that in turn can help us in our daily lives and our future. Getting outside and experiencing nature is great for mind and body”.

A survey of 2021 participants 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

30 Days Wild is for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, with families, schoolchildren, and care home residents all taking part.

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 to take part in 30 Day Wild and receive free inspiration at: www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/30-days-wild

Editors Notes

30 Days Wild Blanket

The enthusiast who crocheted a blanket with 30 wildlife species – one square a day. Link here.

30 Days Wild 2021 Polling

Over 5,000 people were surveyed in May 2021 regarding the impact of the pandemic on their attitude to nature. 78% of participants said the pandemic made them value nature more.

Then, over 900 people were surveyed in early July 2021 after participating in 30 Days Wild and asked how likely they were to take specific actions which would benefit the natural world. The results are:

Question	I’ve already done that	Very likely	Likely	Unlikely	Very unlikely
How likely are you to make your garden more wildlife friendly?	64%	24%	10%	1%	1%
How likely are you to work with your local community to create more spaces for nature where you live?	10%	17%	39%	28%	6%
How likely are you to sign a petition relating to the natural world?	46%	21%	26%	5%	2%
How likely are you to take personal actions to reduce your carbon footprint?	45%	29%	24%	1%	1%
How likely are you to take personal actions to reduce your waste (food waste, single-use plastics)?	57%	25%	17%	0.50%	0.50%

University of Derby’s 5-year evaluation of 30 Days Wild: 2015-2020

The University of Derby monitored participants of 30 Days Wild since it began in 2015 up to 2020. A summary of the evaluations done of the participants of 30 Days Wild 2016 and 2017 are here.  
30 Days Wild: Development and Evaluation of a Large-Scale Nature Engagement Campaign to Improve Well-Being by Miles Richardson, Adam Cormack, Lucy McRobert, Ralph Underhill was published Feb 2016. Online here.