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Going nuts for nature: UK’s biggest nature challenge on course for record-breaking year this June

See our set of seasonal things to do. Photo, David Tipling/2020VISION

• The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild kicks off on 1 June
• More than 2,200 Devon residents took part in 30 Days Wild last year, with 1,600 already signed up for 2022
• Actor Cel Spellman urges people to go wild for the soul and for nature

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 across the UK took part in the free-to-do challenge, which encourages people to do something wild every day throughout June. This included more than 2,200 participants from Devon. With a week to go until it begins, more than 1,600 Devonians have already signed up to take part. 30 Days Wild is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Popular challenge 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*
Cel Spellman making bird box

Credit: Broni Lloyd-Edwards

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.”

30 Days Wild allows me to do one simple thing every day which re-connects me with nature.
Zoe, Devon Wildlife Trust

Zoe Hughes, from Devon Wildlife Trust, says:

“30 Days Wild is a firm fixture in my calendar and it’s a brilliant motivator for getting outside and experiencing all the amazing things nature has to offer. The natural world is struggling but there are so many things that we can do to help.

I really enjoy 30 Days Wild because it makes me stop and appreciate the natural world close to me. Taking time to sit and have my breakfast out of doors and listening to evening birdsong are things that I sometimes forget to do during the busy routines of day-to-day life. 30 Days Wild allows me to do one simple thing every day which re-connects me with nature.”

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

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.

People signing up to 30 Days Wild receive a free activity pack. The challenge is suitable for all ages, and there are even packs for schools, care homes and businesses.

Take part in 30 Days Wild

Editor's 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.

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