Dorset Wildlife Trust is inviting everyone to take part in the UK’s biggest nature challenge, 30 Days Wild.

It kicks off on June 1 with the Big Wild Breakfast, the first of the ‘random acts of wildness’ designed to bring people across Dorset closer to nature every day in June.

Across Dorset, there are so many opportunities to connect with nature from the beautiful Jurassic coast to chalk streams, forests, heaths and meadows.

To mark the 30 Days Wild Weekend on Saturday 18 June, there will be a series of events at Dorset Wildlife Trust visitor centres including the opportunity to explore moths at the Kingcombe Visitor Centre or take part in the Brownsea Island early bird walk and breakfast.

Last year a record 760,000 people took part in 30 Days Wild which is for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. From mums, dads and kids to schools and care homes, participants come from all walks of life. Last year supporters across the UK completed over 16 million acts of wildness; the most popular activities were wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong.

A survey of 2021 participants revealed that the pandemic positively affected their appreciation of the natural world, and that by connecting with nature, people were inspired to take action for the world around them:

• 78% of participants said the pandemic made them value nature more

• 88% said they were very likely to make their garden more wildlife-friendly after participating in 30 Days Wild, or had already done so

• 74% said they had either already taken action to reduce their carbon footprint or were very likely to after taking part in 30 Days Wild.

Brian Bleese, Chief executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “30 Days Wild is a great opportunity to take a little time to do one ‘wild’ thing every day throughout June – whether it’s listening to birdsong, seeing a butterfly, walking on the beach, going to one of our 40 nature reserves and 4 visitor centres across the county or watching our barn owl webcam at Lorton Meadows from the comfort of your own home. The annual nature challenge not only connects you with nature but the research tells us that keeping it wild will actually make you happier and healthier too.”