Member Article

App helps make room for nature this June

Finding new ways to experience encounters with the natural world, over the Spring Bank Holiday and beyond, is about to get easier with a new app offering users more than 100 ‘Random Acts of Wildness’ - simple actions people can take to help or connect them with nature.

The app launches ahead of 30 Days Wild, the UK’s month-long nature challenge taking place Wednesday 1 - Thursday 30 June, when Northumberland Wildlife Trust, along with the other 46 UK wildlife trusts, will be encouraging every one, everywhere, to do a Random Act of Wildness every day during June - to help feel happier, healthier and closer to the wild!

30 Days Wild is a simple free app, available on iPhone and Android is now available and can be downloaded at: wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild/app

It offers more than 100 ‘Random Acts of Wildness’ for inspiration with a random wild activity selected each time. The app enables people to share activities on social media, through direct messaging or email.

All activities are everyday ways to connect with nature or help wildlife. This could be as simple as:

Walk on the wild side: Take a detour on the walk to work, school or with the dog and take in a wild place Hunt for wild treasures: Set up a treasure hunt and search for wild things like feathers or bones Sow a wildflower meadow: Plant a nectar-rich mini meadow for bees and butterflies Birdwatch on your bike: pedal around your local patch and keep a lookout for birds Drift off to wild sounds: Record and play back soothing sounds of nature to send you to sleep

Cathleen Thomas, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Community and Events Officer says: “30 Days Wild is about finding a little time every day to enjoy, experience and take action for nature, no matter where you live. Our new app will help you to do this.

“Some Random Acts of Wildness only take moments and so will fit into the busiest of lifestyles, whether you’re working in the middle of the city or juggling a hectic family life. What’s more, by doing a little something wild every day for 30 days, you’ll feel happier and healthier.”

A study by the University of Derby examined the impact of 30 Days Wild, which ran for the first time in 2015, and showed that the challenge could lead to a sustained increase in participants’ happiness, health, connection to nature and positive environmental behaviours. Two months after taking part in 30 Days Wild, the number of people reporting their health as excellent increased by over 30%. This all adds to a compelling argument for letting nature into our lives every day - and 30 Days Wild will help you do that.

Everyone who signs up to The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild will receive a pack full of encouragement, ideas and ‘Random Acts of Wildness’ and regular blasts of inspiration throughout June straight to their inbox to help everyone make nature part of their lives.

Sign up to the #30DaysWild challenge - and, better still, it’s free!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Bishop .