Get stuck in! Learn more about and help your local wildlife.

This year’s 30 Days Wild was a record breaker with over 400,000 people carrying out over 10 million Random Acts of Wildness throughout June!

The idea behind the challenge is to encourage people to do something wild every single day and enjoy the wonders of nature in their everyday lives. The beauty of this challenge is that anyone and everyone can get involved. There are fabulous resources filled with inspiration for all ages and abilities. One of my favourite things about the campaign is hearing about all the adventures and new experiences had throughout the month from those taking part.

Notts Bat Group member John Parker shared some of his experiences with us and he definitely had a very busy and wild June! He kicked off the 30 days by carrying out surveys of Natterer’s bats, one of the UK’s scarcer bat species. Citizen science can be a great way to learn more about your local wildlife, try taking part in the Big Butterfly Count (19^th July – 11^th August) or record any hedgehog sightings on our Nottinghamshire Mammals website.

John also volunteers with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and spent a few days last month at Farndon Willow Holt Nature Reserve assisting with repairs and the removal of the invasive plant, Himalayan balsam. Volunteering with your local Wildlife Trust is another way you can help the wildlife in your area. Don’t think that this only includes the practical side of conservation, there are a whole suite of ways to support the work of the Wildlife Trusts with any skills you might have. Alternatively, you could try something you’ve never done before! Check out the volunteer roles available now.

A unique experience in John’s 30 Days Wild challenge was most certainly the rescuing of a baby pipistrelle bat. You’ll be pleased to know that this adorable pup was successfully released and picked up by its mother just a few hours later.

Baby pipistrelle bat video Credit John Parker (https://youtu.be/Isw2GrgTkZA)

John has the experience and knowledge to rescue a bat through his work with the bat group. If you find a grounded or injured bat, then call the national bat helpline on 0345 1300 228.

Common pipistrelle bats are the smallest and most common bat in the UK. They roost in trees, roof spaces in houses and bat boxes. Bat box building was also on John’s list of Random Acts of Wildness. They are a simple and great way to help your local bats, especially in areas where they may have limited roosting space. UK gardens cover an area greater than all the nature reserves put together making it more important than ever to make them wildlife friendly, 30 Days Wild certainly encourages many to do just that! Take a moment one evening to sit outside and see whether you can spot any darting through the sky. Or try making and installing your own bat box.

Although 30 Days Wild is over until next year, why not aim to go to wild for 365 days?