Throughout June, The Wildlife Trusts’ challenge participants to do something wild and enjoy nature every single day. In response, people have been sharing their heart-warming stories and colourful photos and videos across social media channels. It's been a month since the Wildlife Trusts’ annual 30 Days Wild came to an end and to celebrate those wonderful stories we've pulled together some highlights from staff and supporters. 

Dan West, Wilder Communication Champion

Thirty days wild has benefit me in ways that I did and didn’t expect. It firstly opened my eyes to the beauty of the UK. I had never visited Scotland and Northern Ireland before, but I have left viewing them as two of the most beautiful places I have ever been. In reference to ways I didn’t expect, however, 30 days wild has reignited my enjoyment for drawing. I have greatly enjoyed the process of visiting natural landmarks around the UK and recording my experience. The external benefits of 30 days wild centre around engaging people in environmental activities, which can benefit the environment and the animals living in it. It can also benefit the wellbeing of people taking part; I have found myself happier more relaxed as a result of taking part. I saw 30 Days Wild as an opportunity to observe, appreciate and record my surroundings. However, having completed the 30 days I have gained an understanding that there’s no need to limit myself to a specific time period and that nature can and should be recorded and appreciated, year-round.

Clive Chatters, Company Secretary at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Throughout June I’ve had the good fortune to spend time with nature at home, in the garden, and at work in Hampshire and Sussex. Surveying habitats takes me to all sorts of places. I’ve had the pleasure of revisiting farms I first knew in the early 1980s when they were conventionally worked, as was the manner of the age. Some 40 years have past and, to my great delight, alien conifers are being stripped from ancient woods, thin arable soils are reverting to pasture and once high-input grasslands are being more kindly grazed.

The private landowners who invite me to visit them are finding opportunities to make real changes that benefit nature. Similarly, a visit to Butterfly Conservation’s nature reserve outside Winchester has heartening. A fragmented and degraded downland of the 1980s is being rebuilt, bit by bit, into a chalk grassland which is large enough to weather future uncertainties.

Not everything has brought joy. Government conservation bodes, both local and national, seem transfixed by internal processes whilst the places they are responsible for are deteriorating. How can we help the good officers of these institutions, who are in the front line - on the ground- deliver the changes which we all know are needed if the ongoing biodiversity crisis is to be averted?

There is hope, with charities and private landowners showing the way. There is an upcoming generation of conservationists eager to learn, with their eyes open to the needs of nature.

30 days is a blink on an eye in my 40-year career; but long enough to remind me that every little thing that any of us can do for wildlife, makes the world a better place.

You can read more about Clive's 30 Days Wild observations here. 

Gemma Paul, Wilder Communication Champion

We have been taking part in 30 days wild for 5 years now and we have had so many great adventures, experiences and memorable wildlife encounters along the way. Every day in June we connect with nature by exploring the natural world around us, enjoying wild spaces, observing wildlife, learning, experimenting, making and baking as we go. 

As always 30 days wild for me personally is very much about encouraging others to enjoy and care about nature, raising awareness and passing on knowledge, promoting conservation and supporting our local nature reserves and wildlife charities, not just for 30 days wild but as something we embrace as part of our daily lives all year round. This year is no exception and we plan to stay wild 365 days a year. 

You can read Gemma's blog on her full 30DW experience here.

Jan Evans, Wilder Communication Champion

Having volunteered to be a wilder communications champion back in May,  I was determined to ‘do’ every day of the 30 days wild challenge in June. I had no idea how engaging it would be.  Every walk, every morning in the garden, every swim in the sea I found myself taking photos and then rushing back to identify the species.  I have discovered so much here on my doorstep and there is so much more to learn.  Everyone can do this.  What an amazing way to learn about (and care about) our fabulous wildlife. Can we have another challenge soon please?