30 May Sounds of Essex to kickstart ‘30 Days Wild’
It’s not too late to sign up to the UK’s biggest nature challenge run by The Wildlife Trusts. Commencing on the 1 June, 30 Days Wild encourages people to experience the benefits of the natural world, wherever you are.
Not only does this challenge encourage participants to help nature with one ‘Random Act of Wildness’ per day, but it benefits participants too. Now in its eighth year, research has consistently shown that participants of 30 Days Wild feel happier, healthier, and more connected with nature at the end of the month. Previous participants have reported the enjoyment and relaxation of taking time out of their day to appreciate nature especially.
Essex Wildlife Trust will be bringing the sound of nature to the public as it kickstarts its challenge this June. For a second year, the Trust is partnering with c2c Rail to bring the natural world to commuters. In contrast to the usual commuter soundscape of busy chattering and train toots, the sound of nightingales will be played across their platforms at peak commuting times, in support of 30 Days Wild.
Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c Rail says: “We are thrilled to be taking part in Essex Wildlife Trust’s 30 Days Wild campaign. c2c has been a Corporate Member of the Essex Wildlife Trust for many years and there are lots of sites close to our route such as Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre near Leigh-on-Sea station and Thameside Nature Discovery Park near Stanford-le-Hope station. We hope our customers enjoy being serenaded by birdsong during 30 Days Wild.”
Essex Wildlife Trust has also formed a new collaboration ready for this year’s challenge. Radio Lento, a free service providing soundscapes from locations across the UK, is supporting 30 Days Wild by providing thirty different soundscapes across the 30-day challenge. Every morning in June, Essex Wildlife Trust will share a one-minute soundscape of Essex, from woodland bird songs to sea breezes and crashing waves, on their social media pages.
Madeleine, co-creator of Radio Lento, says: “We hope that this partnership will inspire people to get out themselves in Essex (and elsewhere) and listen to the sounds around them. The places we record are open access, anyone can go there. We’d encourage anyone to look at a map and find a wild place near them. By observing, interacting with, and listening to the natural world, we can all get a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature.”
The upcoming nature challenge also has the backing of Public Health Essex, who support the challenge for the mental and physical health benefits that it brings to participants. Spending a few minutes each day listening to nature can boost our mood and encourage people to get outdoors more.
Lucy Wightman, Director of Public Health Essex, says:
“Evidence shows that being outside and connecting with nature can help with mental health difficulties like anxiety and depression, and has been shown to improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress, increase your concentration, improve your confidence and self-esteem, and benefit your physical health by helping you to be more active[i].
The Essex Wildlife Trust’s ’30 Days Wild’ challenge provides loads of great ideas and activities to get people out and about, have fun and learn more about nature – helping the environment, local wildlife and themselves. I would encourage everyone – on your own, as a family, through your school, business, or community group – to sign up, get active outside and go wild in June!”
Bailey Tait, Campaigns Officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, says:
“These collaborations for 30 Days Wild highlight the widespread support our nature challenge has. People want to protect nature and get the public involved in nature-based activities. With the support of c2c, Radio Lento and Public Health Essex, we can start this year’s 30 Days Wild, not with a bang, but with the calming sounds of Essex’s wildlife.”
Sign up here and receive your free pack courtesy of Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild
