TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
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30 DAYS WILD, the UK's biggest nature challenge, is back this June!
ast year a record 760,000 people across the UK took part in 30 Days Wild (1,805 officially took part in the challenge in Wiltshire) and approximately two million people have participated since it began in 2015. Every year The Wildlife Trusts invite people to do one wild act every single day during the month of June, with the aim of bringing people closer to nature. Last year supporters completed over 16 million acts of wildness; the most popular activities were
attracted celebrity support from the likes of TV presenters Monty Don, Liz Bonnin and Dr Amir Khan, and this year is championed by The Vamps’ guitarist James McVey. James says, “I’m really looking forward to getting involved with 30 Days Wild this summer. It doesn't matter
where you live,
"Last year supporters completed over 16 million acts of wildness" wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong.
image credit: Eleanor Church
wildlife
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. Funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild has an enthusiastic fan base and has
countryside, city and everywhere in between. I personally take huge enjoyment from being in nature, whether that's doing 10,000 steps from my house, down to the
river and back, or even something as simple as opening the windows and listening to the green parakeets in the summer (yes, we really do have them in London!). I like 30 Days Wild because it's open to everyone and we can all benefit by giving just an ounce of effort! Please get involved.”
30 Days Wild is for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. From mums, dads and kids to schools and care homes, participants come from all walks of life. Alison Loudon, a mum of five from Coatbridge, who participated in 30 Days Wild last year, says: “I felt like a bit of a fraud joining the challenge as I wasn’t really an outdoors person at all, and just joined in as part of home-schooling my kids. I found I learned as much as they did, and the experience has been so enriching for myself THEWESTWILTSMAGAZINE 45
