#30DaysWild. Nature connection at the heart of a happy and healthy life

Results of UK's first month-long nature challenge published as 2016 campaign launches in Devon

People who do something 'wild' every day for a month change their attitude to nature and report improvements in their physical and mental wellbeing, according to new research which places nature connection at the heart of a happy and healthy life.

An impact study, by the University of Derby, of 30 Days Wild - the UK's first ever month-long nature challenge, run by The Wildlife Trusts in June 2015 - reveals sustained increases in participants' happiness, health, connection to nature and positive environmental behaviours, such as feeding the birds or growing flowers for pollinators like bees.

Dr Miles Richardson, Head of Psychology at the University of Derby, conducted the study.

 He says:

"Two months after taking part in 30 Days Wild, the number of people reporting their health as excellent increased by over 30%. And that improvement in health was influenced by the improvements in happiness and connection with nature."

The impact of 30 Days Wild adds to the compelling argument for bringing nature into our everyday lives. Our grand challenges, such as health and declining biodiversity, require large-scale interventions and the evaluation of 30 Days Wild provides good evidence that time in, and a connection with nature can bring sustained benefits to public health, reducing demands on our health services, while also improving pro-nature behaviours. Even in urban areas, nature can provide a simple solution to complex problems."

More than 18,500 people took part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge, committing around 300,000 Random Acts of Wildness - different ways to connect with, experience and take action for nature - throughout June 2015.

Steve Hussey, from Devon Wildlife Trust, said:

"Last year, thousands of people undertook Random Acts of Wildness across our region, from the centre of Plymouth to the Isles of Scilly. People let their lawns grow wild, adults danced in the rain and went on wild picnics, while families created natural artworks, went star-gazing and created homes for wildlife in their gardens. Even people at work found time for wildlife, by taking meetings outside in the sun and transforming work spaces into wildlife habitats.

"The results of our study show that taking part in 30 Days Wild makes people happier, healthier and more connected to nature in the long-term.

"Importantly it also showed that by looking out for nature on a regular basis people became more likely to care about and protect it - and that's what we're all about. We're here to inspire everyone again - every day throughout June. Whatever their age, wherever they live, we want everyone to feel they can take part and join thousands of others making nature part of their life."

30 Days Wild returns in 2016, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking everyone to do something wild every day from 1 - 30 June. Whether you take time out to simply smell a wildflower, listen to birdsong, explore a local wild place or leave a part of your garden to grow wild for a month. This year, the conservation charity aims to inspire people to carry out one million Random Acts of Wildness, listing 101 fun and intriguing ideas online to get you started. It's all about making nature part of your life for 30 days - and it's free.

Steve Hussey added: 

"Hundreds of people have already signed up to this year's 30 Days Wild but the message is there's still time to do so at www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild. We're delighted that BBC Radio Devon is once again backing the campaign and broadcasting a suggested Random Act of Wildness every day of the month on its David Fitzgerald Show and other programmes. This year we're also calling on people to share their experiences of 30 Days Wild with us on twitter, Instagram and facebook using #30DaysWild and twitter handle @DevonWildlife."

Devon Wildlife Trust is kicking off its 30 Days Wild with a special event at its Cricklepit Mill base in the heart of Exeter during half term week on Wednesday 1 June. DWT's Steve Hussey said: 

 "Our Fun Day is the perfect way to start your 30 Days Wild. The event is free and people can drop in any time between 10am and 3pm. We will be challenging visitors to complete 10 Random Acts of Wildness in one day! From bug hunting in our meadow and creating wild art to making a bird feeder and scribbling a poem - it promises to be a wild beginning to June." Cricklepit Mill is a short walk from Exeter's historic Quayside and can be found next to the Bishop Blaize pub, EX2 4AB. For more details on this event visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on 

#30DaysWild - Lewis Hussey, age 12, Exeter. Photo taken at Exmouth Beach copyright Kathryn Edwards (All rights reserved)

 

#30DaysWild - Imogen Hussey, aged 16, balances on tree trunk Photo taken at Haldon Hill copyright Kathryn Edwards (All rights reserved)

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Tap link to sign up for the 30 DaysWild Challenge

Share your 30 Days Wild experience  on twitter, Instagram and facebook using 

#30DaysWild and twitter handle @DevonWildlife

Name that beaver!

A Devon-based conservation charity is looking for help from the public to suggest names for its new beaver mascot.

The beaver in question is a human-sized beaver costume made to promote the work of Devon Wildlife Trust with England's only known wild beaver population on the River Otter in East Devon. The costume, which has striking teeth and tail has been produced with support from South Devon-based Cofton Country Holidays, which is itself a David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme Gold award winner.

Speaking for Devon Wildlife Trust Steve Hussey said:

"We wanted a beaver mascot to help us raise the profile of the River Otter Beaver Trial and its vital work. When Cofton Country Holidays generously stepped in to help us we were delighted." "We hope that lots of people will get to see the mascot and learn about the project. His/her first outing was at this year's County Show, after that he/she will be seen around the county at events."

"We're really pleased with the mascot costume and have a number of staff, volunteers and helpers from Cofton Country Holidays who have said they are happy to wear it. Now all that is lacking is a name. That's why we're now asking the public to help us name that beaver!"

Mellony Kirby, Director at Cofton Country Holidays commented:

"Conservation is very close to our hearts. We work hard to provide guests with a rich environment in which to observe wildlife here at Cofton. Over the years Devon Wildlife Trust has advised us on our nature trails, which take visitors through parkland and woodland to Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, and so for us the opportunity to raise the profile of the Trust's work to encourage a wild beaver population on the River Otter seemed too good an opportunity to miss. 

"We're looking forward to hosting the River Otter beaver mascot throughout the spring and summer when Devon Wildlife Trust will be joining us here at Cofton for pond dipping days, giving kids the chance to discovering wildlife in the water alongside supervised activities." 

The beaver mascot's first appearance was at this year's Devon County Show. People who want to suggest a beaver name can do so by visiting the Devon Wildlife Trust stand. Devon Wildlife Trust is also inviting people get in touch via Twitter using @DevonWildlife with their beaver name suggestions. 

Steve Hussey said: 

"We're looking for an imaginative beaver name. After the recent Boaty McBoatface debacle we've chosen not to run this name selection as a vote. Instead we are reserving the right to choose the winner and it won't be Beaver McBeaverface or anything that doesn't represent the correct tone for our work for wildlife!" 

 

The beaver outfit being modelled at Cofton Country Holidays

 Mellony Kirby, director of Cofton Country Holidays, the River Otter Beaver Trial mascot, Helen Scott, director of Cofton Country Holidays, and Mike Elsey, Corporate Support Officer for Devon Wildlife Trust.

Community Event to collect North Devon Glove Maker’s Stories for Short Film Series

The Burton Art Gallery & Museum will be hosting a free event to collect stories about the glove industry in north Devon for a new series of short films. Glove Stories is the latest project from community film makers North Devon Moving Image to collect and preserve valuable first hand accounts of life in north Devon.

Gloving was an important industry for centuries with factories in Appledore, Bideford, Great Torrington and Pilton in Barnstaple as well being a source of income for many home workers. The industry came to an end in 2006 when the last factory closed its doors for the final time.

Terry Priscott a former glove worker who runs the The North Devon Glove Industry History Page on Facebook says

"It was once North Devon's biggest employer. If you are local to the area, particularly Great Torrington, it is highly likely that some of your ancestors worked in the glove industry! Gloving is an important part of north Devon's heritage but there are currently no books or other information available on it."

NDMI's Glove Stories project aims to set this right by recording personal reminiscences from those who were associated with north Devon's glove industry and use them to produce a series of short films. The films will be free to watch via NDMI's website and at The Burton Art Gallery & Museum. There will also be a screeening of the series at White Moose Gallery in Barnstaple to complement the Hand to Hand exhibition by local artist Sue on 14 July. 

Amanda McCormack, Creative Director of North Devon Moving Image says 

"We are inviting people to come along to the Burton on Saturday 2 July to share their Glove Stories either by interview on camera or by writing anecdotes on our Glove Stories memory cards. It would be great to see some old photographs and artefacts too." 

 Photos show images recorded at Great Torrington Museum. 

The event runs to coincide with Bideford Heritage Day on Saturday 2 July from 10am to 4pm  at The Burton Art Gallery and Museum Kingsley Road,  Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ.

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For more information or to offer help volunteering on the day please contact Amanda McCormack on 01271 860610 or email northdevonmovingimage@outlook.com. 

This community project has been made possible with funding from The Bideford Bridge Trust and Torridge Councillor Peter Christie.