THE Wildlife Trust’s 30 Days Wild campaign is in full swing, with people in Dorset and across the UK doing something ‘wild’ every day in June.

In a new You Gov poll, it has been revealed that those living in cities in the UK have a strong affinity for their natural environment but struggle to connect with it as much as they’d like to, with a staggering 80% saying they don’t get enough time with nature.

Living in Dorset, we have lots of opportunities to enjoy daily connections with nature, and we are lucky enough to be surrounded with both countryside and the coast. The good news is that to be ‘wild’, you don’t need to go for a ten mile walk or get up to your knees in mud to feel connected to nature in Dorset. 

30 Days Wild is also about finding the ‘little’ things in nature that we may not usually notice; it’s about being aware, looking up and looking down, listening to the birds in the sky, the trees rustling in the wind, or the waves crashing on the beach.Taking notice of our natural surroundings is surprisingly good for the soul – it grounds us in the moment and distracts us (even if only for a few minutes) from the fast pace of modern life. 

Your garden or local green space is another great place to immerse yourself with nature; the joys of watching a butterfly or bee pollinate a flower you’ve lovingly tended to should not be underestimated. 

Many of us are probably wild without realising it – even admiring a road verge packed full of wildflowers, looking out the window into your garden, or taking a picture in a park, counts. The trick is to savour the moment, pay a little more attention than you would do normally, and share your experiences with others. 

You may even see unexpected changes such as the pounds melting off the scales, or feeling a greater sense of wellbeing from those few moments a day when nature is at the top of your priority list. Dorset Wildlife Trust would love to hear about your wild moments, so share your experiences, photos and videos @DorsetWildlife and use #30DaysWild.

SALLY WELBOURN