30 Days Wild – the UK’s biggest nature challenge – reveals people’s favourite ‘random acts of wildness’

30 Days Wild – the UK’s biggest nature challenge – reveals people’s favourite ‘random acts of wildness’ - The Wildlife Trusts

On the eve of the UK’s most popular nature challenge, 30 Days Wild, a survey of last year’s participants reveals that listening to birdsong, exercising and eating outdoors, identifying and planting wildflowers, and going on a bug hunt, were people’s favourite ‘random acts of wildness’ last year.

30 Days Wild is a fun, annual event from The Wildlife Trusts, with more than a million participants to date. A record 650,000 people took part in 2020 alone. People are invited to sign-up and try one ‘random act of wildness’ every day, for 30 days in June. Fans join a supportive online community for inspiration, practical advice and wildlife-watching tips.

Top random acts of wildness

The Wildlife Trusts asked a 1,000 people who took part in 30 Days Wild in 2020 about their favourite random acts of wildness. The top 10 most popular activities were:

Listening to birdsong came top – 88%
Exercising outdoors – 81%
Eating or drinking outdoors – 79%
Identifying wildflowers – 77%
Planting wildflower seeds – 71%
Going on a bug hunt – 59%
Hugging or admiring a tree – 58%
Making a wildlife home (birdbox, bee hotel) – 49%
Going barefoot on the grass or earth – 49%
Sketching, drawing or painting nature – 47%

New for this year – a Big Wild Breakfast to kickstart the 30 Days Wild challenge on Tuesday 1st June. Participants are urged to celebrate the first day of their wild month with a Big Wild Breakfast and see how much wildlife they can spot in just 30 minutes.