#PF30DaysWild
Every June the Wildlife Trust does a 30 days wild event. The idea is that for every day in June you get out and do something in nature or for nature. This year it is a bit difficult to do many of the suggestions that usually come up so here are some ideas that may be more achievable during lockdown. We would love to see what you got up to for this challenge too, so use the hashtag #PF30DaysWild across social media and we may even share a few in our next issue of Aether.
1st – Feel the grass between your toes
Not everyone will be able to do this one at this time, but if you have a garden or some grass that you can visit if you have a walk, then kick off your socks and shoes and sink your feet into the lush summer grass. Feel it under foot and between your toes.. Is it soft? Does it tickle? How does it make you feel?
Connecting with the earth like this is sometimes called grounding or earthing, and can be really beneficial to our health and wellbeing. The earth gives off negative ions which has a positive effect on us. We are often cut off from those ions by being indoors or using footwear, so if you can, get outside, go barefoot and plug in to the earth and share with us your experience. #PF30DaysWild
2nd – Admire the setting sun
The days are really long at this time of year so you’ll have to stay up late but if you can, either outside or from your window, get comfy and watch the sun go down. See the changing colours of the sky and clouds as the sun sinks behind the horizon. You could write about it, draw it, take pictures of it. How does it make you feel? Don’t forget to share it with us. #PF30DaysWild
3rd – Write a nature inspired poem or short story
Clouds, the sun, trees, flowers, butterflies, frogs… The possibilities are endless when it comes to nature themes. Pick one or two and have a go at creating your own literary masterpieces. If your small human can’t write yet, get them to tell you their poem or story and write it down for them. Don’t forget to share them with us. You could even submit them for inclusion in our Kids poetry books. (Send them with the name and age of child who wrote it to ne-disabilities@paganfederation.co.uk by 21st June) #PF30DaysWild
4th – Smell the rain
Ok this one requires rainfall so you might have to change the day but… Did you know that the smell of earth after rain has fallen on it is called petrichor? Open your door or windows, get out in your garden if you have one or time your walk for when the rain has stopped. What does petrichor smell like to you? Does it invoke any memories for you? How does it make you feel? Share with us you experience #PF30DaysWild
5th – Go moongazing
June the 5th is the full moon and this full moon is also known as Strawberry moon. Take some time out each night this month to watch the moon and follow its cycle from full to waning to dark to full again on the 5th of July (which will be a Buck moon by the way). Maybe make a journal of it, drawing how much moon you see each night and date it, and then share with us your finished piece. #PF30DaysWild
6th – Make a bird feeder
A bird feeder is a great way to encourage birds into your garden or wild space. You can then ‘spot’ the birds, but that’s another challenge. Here’s a link to the RSPB website and a great craft activity, turning an old plastic pop bottle into a hanging bird feeder. https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/games-and-activities/activities/make-a-recycled-bird-feeder/
The national trust also has a great link for making bird feeders by upcycling plastic bottles, toilet roll middles and old tea cups. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/make-a-bird-feeder-from-recycled-materials
I’m sure there are plenty of other ideas to try out with a quick search online. We’d love to see the feeders you make. #PF30DaysWild
7th – Feed the birds
If you have the option of using a bird table, put different foods out for the birds and then see who turns up. Keep a notebook of the different species and what they like to eat. Some like berries and nuts, others like mealworms. Here’s a link to The Wildlife Trust common garden birds spotter, how many can you spot? https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/garden%20bird%20detective.pdf
Another option for feeding the birds (though this might have to wait till after lockdown) is going to the local duck pond, while you’re there use this duck spotters guide from the wildlife trust to see what kinds of ducks you are feeding.
Let us know what birds you spot. #PF30DaysWild
8th – Meditate somewhere wild
Have a go at meditating on nature in nature. Meditation is a really good way to help slow down, relax, calm and centre, which can especially help when times are tough or if you need to wind down after a busy (or stimulating) day. Regular meditation can help us to focus, clearing the mind of excess and unwanted chatter so we can be more self aware and less negative towards our self. Regular meditation can help us to be more grounded, observant and level headed; it can also help us find solutions to problems or create new ideas by meditating on them. It has been shown that regular meditation is beneficial for children and adults alike, so this definitely something that can be done as a family.
It is a process of controlling thoughts, concentrating on a single idea or phrase. A simple way to meditate is to just sit with eyes closed and listen to your heart, not only does this focus on the heart beat and get us to slow down but also to be more mindful of our heart, our sense of self, our feelings and desires.
Have a go at meditating outside, this could be in the garden or other safe wild space, or if you can’t get outside, sit in an open doorway to the outside if it is safe to do so. What nature sounds do you hear? Let them guide you on an inner journey. Share with us your meditation experience. #PF30DaysWild
9th – Rewild your garden
There are lots of ways to do this! You could plant some wildflower seeds in a dedicated patch, in amongst the flowerbeds, or if you only have a yard, try a plant pot. You could make a rockery or a mini pond. Pile up some twigs or make a bug hotel. Whatever you do make note of what critters pay a visit and don’t forget to share with us your new wild space and its inhabitants. #PF30DaysWild
10th – Investigate tracks and signs
If you are able to get out to a wild space, keep your eyes open for tracks and signs of wildlife. Take pictures and make notes so you can look them up when you get home and find out what they were. If you can’t get out at the moment look up tracks on the internet of wildlife in your area. This link to the wildlife trust is a good place to start for what tracks and signs to look out for. https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/explore-wildlife/tracks-and-signs/tracks-and-signs Share with us what you find. #PF30DaysWild
11th – Make a nature table
If you downloaded the free packs from The Wildlife Trust for this years 30 Days Wild, you will have a printout to use as a guide for this one. Basically you need a ‘table’, this could be a tray or something else a decent size to collect and display things on that is flat. When out and about collect items to go on it, stones, leaves and seeds for example. You can then use these for all sorts of things; you could make nature art using them, or create scenery for small world play, as a source of things to research, or just a place to display your nature treasures. Show us your nature tables. #PF30DaysWild
12th – Sketch a plant, bug or feather close up
Get out your pens and paper and have a go at some wild sketching. It could be a flower, leaf or other plant, maybe a bug or a feather. It could be something you found whilst out on a walk, or from a book or online. We would love to see your artwork so please share it with us. #PF30DaysWild
13th – Go cloud gazing
If you are able to get out then take some time to sit back or lie down and just watch the clouds as they go by. If you can’t get out to do this, sit comfortably by a window so you can watch the sky. Lose yourself in the clouds. Notice the different layers of clouds and how each one moves at a different pace. Note the different types of clouds, look them upon the internet. Let your mind wander amongst the clouds, what shapes do you see? Can you have a go at interpreting them? This form of divination is called aeromancy. Share with us any pictures, and what you see. #PF30DaysWild
14th – Save a spider
Spiders are very misunderstood. Lots of people are scared of them but they are really useful creatures. If you see one in your house, don’t squish it, try catching it and putting it outside instead. You don’t have to touch it, trap it in a glass and put some paper underneath. If you are feeling brave and you have a magnifying glass, take a closer look at this amazing arachnid before you put it out. Use this spider spotter guide from the Wildlife Trust and see if you can identify it. https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/spider%20spotter.pdf
Let us know how brave you were and, if you managed to, what kind of spider it was. #PF30DaysWild
15th – Eat or drink a wild ingredient
Nature is bursting with wild plants for us to eat and drink if we know what to look for and what to do with them. You have to make sure you are certain that you know what the plant is before doing this though as some can make you very poorly. There are plenty of resources online and in books on this but for two really easy to identify plants, The Wildlife trust have these great PDFs to download. One for nettle soup: http://7474fab53f1b6ee92458-8f3ac932bad207a00c83e77eaee8d15c.r12.cf1.rackcdn.com/NETTLE%20SOUP.jpg And one for dandelion tea. http://7474fab53f1b6ee92458-8f3ac932bad207a00c83e77eaee8d15c.r12.cf1.rackcdn.com/DANDELION-TEA.jpg Tell us what you made and what you thought of it. #PF30DaysWild
16th – Get up close to a garden snail
If you are able to get outside, take a magnifying glass if you have one, and see if you can find a snail. Get a good look at it, what colour is it? How big is it? What is its shell like? What else do you notice? Did you know there are around 90 different species of land snail in the UK! The Wildlife Trust has this handy spotter with 10 snails on it for you to download. https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/snail%20detective.pdf
Tell us or show us your snails. #PF30DaysWild
17th – Enjoy natures colour palette
There are various ways to enjoy and engage with the beautiful variety of colours in nature, and every age group can do it too. For example:
The smallest ones could do a colour treasure hunt. Take a large egg box and paint each individual space a different colour and shade, now get the kids to find bits in nature that match those colours.
Older ones could try painting a nature scene, or use nature itself (different coloured leaves and flowers) to create a picture.
Do share with us your finds and works of art. #PF30DaysWild
18th – Eat outside
The 18th is international picnic day, so this is the perfect day (if you are able to do so at the moment) to sit outside and have a meal. If you can’t get out at the moment then have a picnic in your living room and pretend you are outside. What’s your favourite picnic food? Share pictures of your picnic with us. #PF30DaysWild
19th – Think before you buy
Our purchases have a great impact on this planet. Next time you go to buy something, stop and think. Do you need it? What will happen to it when you have finished with it? Can it be recycled, repurposed, or will it end up in landfill for hundreds of years? Rather than buying this item, is there a more environmentally friendly alternative? Perhaps find something second hand or repurpose something else to do the job. Could you make it out of bits and bobs from around the house? For example, rather than buying a set of plastic farm animals, get creative and make them from cardboard boxes and loo roll innards. Instead of buying that rocket ship; make one from an old plastic pop bottle. If you do get creative, share with us what you make. #PF30DaysWild
20th – Watch the sunrise
It is almost the longest day so you’ll have to be an early riser for this one! If you can, either outside or from your window, get comfy and watch the sun rise. See the changing colours of the sky and clouds as the sun peeks out from over the horizon. You could write about it, draw it, take pictures of it. Don’t forget to share it with us. #PF30DaysWild
21st – Enjoy Midsummer
Happy Solstice! We’d love to see how you are celebrating the solstice/midsummer. Have you any decorations you put up? Are you having any fancy foods or something special you wouldn’t normally eat? Are you getting dressed up? Tell us or show us how you celebrate. #PF30DaysWild
22nd – Design a recycled home for wildlife
Loss of habitat is one of the big threats to our wildlife. Have a go at designing a home from recycled materials for your local animals and creepy crawlies. If you get chance to try making it, great! There are all sorts of ideas online for the kind of homes minibeasts and other wild animals would like to live in. Share with us your designs and your creations. #PF30DaysWild
23rd – Look for minibeasts/ go on a bug hunt
If you are able to get out at the moment then keep your eyes peeled for minibeasts. Make a note of them, take a photo, or try and complete the minibeast detective sheet from wildlife trust. Share with us what you find. https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/minibeasts%20v2%20small.pdf
If you can’t get out at the moment to spot them first hand, look up minibeasts in books or online and find out what’s around where you are. You could have a go at creating a collage or drawing some of them. Don’t forget to share your art with us. #PF30DaysWild
24th – Stay up late and watch nightlife
The nights are short so you’ll have to stay up late to do this one. Alternatively, you could watch some videos online of local nocturnal wildlife. What nocturnal animals are around where you are? What visited you? Use this after dark nocturnal spotter from wildlife trust and see how many you can see. https://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/after%20dark%20spotter.pdf
What did you see? Let us know #PF30DaysWild
25th – Read a wild book, blog or poem
A great way to connect with nature, especially if going out in it is difficult, is to read about it. You could read blogs on wildlife, poems about trees or books such as wind in the willows or animals of farthing wood. What are your favourite literary pieces, fact and fiction, share them here. #PF30DaysWild
26th – Dance in a downpour
You may need to swap days on this one as obviously in order to dance in a downpour, it needs to be raining. You don’t have to go far either, just outside your door is fine, just enough to be in the rain. Get your wellies and waterproofs on and boogie in the rain, splash in the puddles and have a merry time. #PF30DaysWild
27th – Watch a wild webcam
This is a great one for this years 30 days wild considering most of us are stuck indoors. More places have made their webcams available for folk to watch, so have a search online and see nature in the wild without leaving your house. If you find some good ones, please do share them with us. #PF30DaysWild
28th – Go stargazing
You’ll need a clear night for this one, so you may need to swap days with something else. When it is dark, go outside, lie on your back and watch the stars. If you can’t get outside to do this, you could stand at your front door or look out of the window; whatever gives you the best view of the night sky so you can see as many stars as possible. You can get apps that tell you what all the stars and constellations are, or you could look them up online or in a book. Don’t forget to tell us what you see. #PF30DaysWild
29th – Share the good things in nature
Nature is vast, share with us the good stuff. What is your favourite wild activity, wild animal, minibeast, plant, wild place etc. Write, draw or take pictures of them and share them with us. #PF30DaysWild
30th – Reflect on how nature has made you feel this past month
Well done for giving this a go and getting wild for the last 30 days.. How did you do? How did it make you feel? Which was your favourite activity? Did you do anything else to get wild? We’d love to hear your experience.
#PF30DaysWild
Krys Holmes – Children and Families Manager