Looking after yourself - and nature
In light of the coronavirus outbreak, maintaining a connection with the natural world is more important than ever to ensure we're taking good care of our health and wellbeing.
We know that people who spend time in nature are happier and healthier, but it can be difficult to know how to do this safely in the current climate.
It's really important to stay active and exercise where you can. This can be as simple as doing morning yoga in your own back garden! Whilst our education centres and car parks are closed, many nature reserves are remaining open. If they are close to you and visiting them is part of your daily exercise, a bit of time every day spent in nature can help relieve stress and improve mental wellbeing. If you do want to visit a reserve, only head to those within walking distance and always make sure you follow Government guidance on social distancing.
Here are some other tips and resources that we hope will help you in the coming weeks!
Activities
Things to do and make
There are still lots of ways that you can help wildlife during this time. We've got some brilliant activity sheets to download. If you do try any of these, please share with us on social media using #everydaywildlife. We'd love to see!
All of these activities are perfect for families to do together.
Make a bird feeder
Build a hedgehog home
Make a mini nature reserve
Make a butterfly painting
How to build a bottle basking shark
How to clean bird feeders
Make a nectar bar
Make a mini pond
Make a leaf tile
Make an edible pond
Make a model butterfly
Make your own compost
Grow vegetables for wildlife
Make a butterfly feeder
Make your own glow worm
Marine colouring in sheets
Make an egg carton crab
Build a birds nest
Make a rain stick
Feeding birds on the ground
Make a treasure chest
Make beeswax wraps
Make a model dragonfly
Make a nature treasure chest
How to make seed bombs
Plant a butterfly box
How to make a nest box
Make your own binoculars
How to make leaf skeletons
Try wildlife themed yoga
Help birds avoid windows
Make a nature mandala
Things to see
You don't have to go far to see wildlife. Even looking at of your window or standing in your garden can give great opportunities for nature spotting! Here are some sheets to help you.
Learn how to identify bees
Learn how to identify butterflies and moths
Spot garden mini-beasts
Support the Wildlife Trust
Can you help the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to protect wild spaces?