How will you get closer to nature during 12 Days Wild?

12 Days Wild is Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts’ festive challenge which takes place from 25th December to 5th January. The idea is to do one wild thing every day or night… are you up for the challenge? Simply sign up here and you’ll receive daily inspirational emails packed with fun ideas to help you embrace winter walks in nature or the magic of night-time star gazing – to lift your mood and much more!

You could:

• Track animals by looking for footprints in the mud or snow
• Go star gazing on a clear night
• Go winter wildlife watching on a walk at a nature reserve
• Or even volunteer at a nature reserve – nature will appreciate it
• Make a New Year’s resolution to help nature. What will you do in 2025?

BBC TV presenter and Wildlife Trust Vice President Iolo Williams, shares his love of winter wildlife. He says: “From dawn to dusk, winter wildlife is busy all around us. Otters are always up early and if you see a trail of bubbles in the water, you’ll know they’ve spotted you first. Night-hunting barn owls venture out on cold winter days to find extra food and will woosh past you in the winter sun. Then, at dusk, starlings gather in the sky forming ever-shifting shapes and patterns known as murmurations. There are so many wildlife adventures to be had during 12 Days Wild – I hope you enjoy them.”

Rachel Rutherford, Senior Communications and Marketing Officer at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust stated, "12 Days wild is a great opportunity to get a blast of fresh air with friends and family over the festive season and I will be looking out for the unusual and unexpected when out and about in my local green spaces. You just never know what you can experience when you open your mind to it. From the micro fungi to the unexpected wildlife encounters to simple things like a bug hunt or spotting animal tracks. I may even get the hammock out in the back garden - usually only a hot summers day experience! However, if coupled with hot drinks and wrapping up well with blankets, star gazing on a fine evening is on my list to do this year."

Spending time in nature – night or day – is proven to help people feel happier and healthier. A Wildlife Trusts’ survey found that participants of the 30 Days Wild summer challenge felt 56% more connected to nature after taking part, and that it boosted the health of participants by an average of 30%.*

Editor’s notes

How will Wildlife Trust friends and ambassadors be marking 12 Days Wild?

BAFTA award-winning Maddie Moate, presenter of the BBC TV’s ‘Maddie, Space and You’, loves star gazing. She says: “Dark winter skies are full of wonder. Choose a clear, dry night and step outdoors to look at the moon and spot the planets. Can you see the red glow from Mars? Mars will keep brightening as December approaches, so this will be a fantastic time to see the red planet. And whilst you’re watching the sky, don’t forget to listen for the hoot of an owl or the cry of a fox. For this 12 Days Wild, I’ll be wrapping up warm and stepping outside to enjoy the sights and sounds of the night.”

Conservationist and TV presenter Chantelle Lindsay, who has been selected as a Heritage Lottery Gamechanger, says: “Connecting with nature is so simple, even in the middle of winter when days are short. Being outside, listening to birds or looking out for signs of hedgehogs, foxes or even otters, gives us a chance to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the natural wonders of our amazing planet. For this 12 Days Wild, I’ll be strolling through the wonderful Wildlife Trust nature reserves near my home and enjoying the chance to relax and unwind after a super busy year.”

* Measuring the impact of 30 Days Wild The University of Derby began monitoring and evaluating the impact of taking part in 30 Days Wild in 2015. Studies were repeated and developed for the next five years, resulting in a wealth of evidence, data and papers on the benefits of taking part. The research, led by Dr Miles Richardson, Director of Core Psychology Programmes, repeatedly found that taking part in 30 Days Wild improves health, happiness, nature connection and conservation behaviours. People reported feeling more relaxed and motivated to do more to protect wildlife after taking part. For more information, visit: 30 Days Wild 5 Year Review

The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts are making the world wilder and helping to ensure that nature is part of everyone’s lives. We are a grassroots movement of 46 charities with more than 910,000 members and 39,000 volunteers. No matter where you are in Britain, there is a Wildlife Trust inspiring people and saving, protecting and standing up for the natural world. With the support of our members, we care for and restore over 2,600 special places for nature on land and run marine conservation projects and collect vital data on the state of our seas. Every Wildlife Trust works within its local community to inspire people to create a wilder future – from advising thousands of landowners on how to manage their land to benefit wildlife, to connecting hundreds of thousands of school children with nature every year. www.wildlifetrusts.org