Each summer, thousands of people take part in 30 Days Wild — our annual challenge to encourage people to connect with nature throughout the month of June — but there are plenty of opportunities to see, hear, enjoy and help wildlife throughout the year. — Writes Erin McDaid, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Twelve Days Wild is our festive nature challenge, where we encourage everyone to do one wild thing a day in those weird days between Christmas and New Year.
Sign up now at wildlifetrusts.org/12dayswild.
WHy not use the time between Christmas and New Year to get out and connect with nature cpt Becky Plummer Photography (61530950)
Winter wildlife is all around us, just waiting to be explored and getting out into nature is the perfect antidote to an over indulgence in mince pies or mulled wine.
The wild acts you choose could be little things to help nature — such as recycling your Christmas tree or feeding the birds in your garden.
Alternatively, you could choose to connect to the natural world with a walk at a favorite nature spot with loved ones or a solo wander to clear your head and escape the sometimes frenetic festivities.
Walking off a rich festive meal or an excess of chocolates in a local wood or at a local wetland, or even just admiring the beauty of a winter sunset can add a wonderful dimension to your experience over the holiday season.
Midwinter challenge – why not visit a site such as Idle VAley NAture Reserve over the festive season Photo: Emma Harrison (61530948)
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, as it’s likely to at some stage, you could indulge in some wildlife-themed arts and crafts using the plethora of bits and bobs accumulated at this time of year that would usually end up in landfill.
Why not make some nature-inspired Christmas decorations that you can bring out to brighten the home year on year?
Other great wet weather options include snuggling up with a nature book or get settling into a comfy chair to watch something inspiring from Sir David Attenborough’s back catalogue.
If you have received a host of gift vouchers and are not sure what to treat yourself to, why not consider adding a hedgehog house or bird feeding station to your garden.
Blue Tit on Feeder. Midwinter challenge – why not treat yourself and your garden birds to a new feeder. Photo: Scott Tilley (61530946)
If you want to do a little more for nature and you are lucky enough to have some time off work, why not plant a native fruit or nut tree or even create a new wildlife area in the garden.
If you are looking for somewhere different to connect with nature over the festive season our cafés and shops will be open at Idle Valley and Attenborough.
Our website has details of opening hours as well as information on dozens of nature reserves across the county where you can see and experience the joys of winter wildlife.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. (2682719)
Whether you fancy a walk in an ancient woodland where you might see a jay searching out acorns buried in times of plenty or a wander around a Trent Valley wetland, such as our Besthorpe Nature Reserve and the adjacent Langford Lowfields site cared for by RSPB, where large numbers of birds will gather to take advantage of our relatively mild winters, we’ve got plenty to choose from.
While our challenge officially kicks off on Christmas Day you can sign up at any time for inspiration, but the sooner you get started the more time you’ll have to savor the best of the season’s wildlife.