Recent research has highlighted that simple moments of connection with nature – the melody of birdsong, the buzz of busy bees, the sight and scent of vibrant wildflowers – can have a significant positive impact on our health and wellbeing. And what better way to boost your own wellbeing than by actively helping the incredible wildlife that shares our county?

This first week of 30 Days Wild is all about taking small, meaningful actions to Help Nature Where You Live. We've got a week packed with simple yet rewarding activities to get you started:

1 June: Sow some magic with wildflowers

Imagine a burst of colour attracting fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees to your garden, balcony, or even a window box. Today, we're encouraging everyone to scatter some wildflower seeds and sow a mini-meadow. These native blooms are vital food sources for our precious pollinators. Even a small patch can make a big difference!

2 June: Get involved - Volunteers' Week is here

Today marks the start of Volunteers' Week! Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and make a real difference for wildlife. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has a wonderful team of volunteers who contribute in so many ways, from maintaining our nature reserves to helping with our education programmes and events. Could you lend a hand? Check out our website for current opportunities – we would love to have you with us.

3 June: Build a wildlife home - bird boxes and bug hotels

Let’s make spaces for nature today and create a welcoming home for local wildlife. Building a simple bird box can provide a safe nesting site for our feathered friends, while a bug hotel offers shelter for a fascinating array of insects. These small structures can significantly boost biodiversity in your local area. We have lots of easy-to-follow guides online here.

4 June: Join us and show your support year round

Show your support for Wiltshire’s wildlife by becoming a member of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Your regular support goes directly towards our vital work in managing over 40 nature reserves, delivering educational programmes, and working with communities across the county. Plus, you'll receive exclusive benefits and updates on our conservation efforts. Join our growing community today!

5 June: Discover the nature living amongst churchyards

Did you know that churchyards can be surprisingly rich spaces for wildlife? Take some time to explore a local churchyard; often managed with nature in mind, they can be home to ancient trees, wildflowers, and a variety of insects and birds. It's a chance for a peaceful connection with both nature and history. You can join the Living Churchyards Seminar on 21 June and learn more about how these places of faith are contributing to our goals through managing their spaces for nature.

6 June: Become a citizen scientist with iRecord

Every wildlife sighting is valuable and tells us something about the species in our county. Today, we are encouraging you to download the iRecord app and start logging the creatures and plants you spot. This citizen science initiative helps us build a vital picture of wildlife distribution across the UK and informs our conservation work. It's easy and fun whilst contributing to real scientific research.

7 June: Help us fight for our chalk streams

Our precious chalk streams are a unique and vital habitat, but they face numerous threats. This week, we're asking you to sign the petition to support a Chalk Streams Recovery Pack. We think the recovery pack would increase investment, regulation and transparency, improving the state of all rivers in the UK. Chalk streams’ rarity, cultural and ecological importance should make them a priority for conservation, sustainable water management and restoration initiatives. Sign the petition today: Don’t abandon the Chalk Stream recovery pack - Petitions

8 June: Support our work - donate to a wilder Wiltshire

As we wrap up our first week of wild actions, please consider supporting our ongoing work to protect and enhance Wiltshire's wildlife through a donation to one of our vital projects. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us to continue our conservation efforts, manage our nature reserves, and inspire future generations connect with nature. You can learn more about our current appeals here.

This is just the beginning of our 30 Days Wild journey. We hope you'll dive into some or even all of these activities this week and feel the joy of helping nature thrive where you live. 

Don't forget to share your wild moments with us using the hashtag #30DaysWild and tag Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – we'd love to see what you're up to! Stay tuned for next week’s blog as we take on the challenge to move like nature...

Let's make this June an unforgettable one!