On a local level, what can we do through 30 Days Wild to connect with nature and improve prospects for wildlife in Hertfordshire and Middlesex?
Well, it’s worth beginning by stating the obvious - many small acts can make a big impact. Any action you can take is beneficial. Whether you want to feed the birds that visit your garden, sow some wild flower seeds, leave a few weeds for caterpillars to feast upon or cut a hole in your fence to help hedgehogs get into your garden, everything you can do will help with the bigger picture. Do you have a street WhatsApp group? If so, could you start a movement and inspire all your neighbours to all get their saws out and between you cut a hedgehog highway? With drastically declining numbers, these spikey garden visitors need all the help they can get from us.
Doing something and nothing is also an option - leave the lawn to run wild, for instance. You could put the time you would have spent mowing it aside to explore one of our nature reserves. Did you know that nationally 60% of us live with three miles of one? Or, simply take a walk from your doorstep and tune in to the wild sights and noises that you see and hear. Developing a relationship with nature is great for your physical and mental wellbeing – it’s proven to improve mood, relieve stress, increase focus and productivity.
Something else that is good for wellbeing is art, so why not combine art with wildlife and pop along to one of our Herts Wild Art drop-in events? Everyone is welcome regardless of age or artistic ability – just bring your enthusiasm! Nature will provide the inspiration and we’ll have easels and art materials on hand so you’re ready to paint, sketch or draw as the mood takes you. You will also get to meet ‘Willoughby,’ our giant willow hedgehog sculpture, who is fronting the programme and can be seen at the various locations where live art sessions are taking place.
We have a host of events taking place to celebrate our local wild places and the wildlife that thrives within them. Take your pick from a Summer Smartphone Safari, Discover Hedgehogs with the Hornbeam Hedgehog Sanctuary, join in at the Big Wild Weekend in Panshanger Park, document your findings with Nature Journaling – Wildflowers or even raise a glass with Wild Gin Tasting, plus there is plenty more to fill your diary with throughout June.
If you’re practically minded, how about a project or two? Perhaps you could gather wood and make a log shelter or how about a bigger task, perhaps building a pond? If you’re a keen gardener, could you look at incorporating the best plants for bees and pollinators in your borders or grow wildlife friendly herbs? Perhaps you could set up a plant sharing group with friends, family or neighbours? We’ve got lots more ideas of actions you can take to help nature and the environment so be assured you will find some that resonate with you.
As a grand finale to 30 Days Wild, we’ve set ourselves an ambitious fundraising challenge to visit 30 wild places across Hertfordshire and Middlesex in 30 hours, travelling by eBike. The Ride Wild Challenge will take place over 29 and 30 June and will see a single cyclist visit some of the best wild places in the region, covering a 71-mile route – from nature reserves to community projects and river projects to schools. At each wild place the Ride Wild team will meet wildlife experts, volunteers and community groups to learn about the amazing wild places and the wildlife that it attracts. The rider for the challenge is Ben Marston of Hertfordshire-based Puddingstone Distillery, makers of Campfire Gin. The eBike has been donated for the cause by the Berkhamsted-based bike manufacturer, Estarli, who champion sustainable travel solutions. We are raffling off the e20 eBike, worth over £1,200, to raise money for the Trust. Six people will also win a bottle of Puddingstone’s Ultrasonic Gin. You can buy tickets here.