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Connecting with nature on your doorstep boosts health and wellbeing, survey finds ahead of 30 Days Wild challenge

TV presenter Liz Bonnin urges people to ‘fall back in love with nature’ in June.

A new poll carried out for The Wildlife Trusts has revealed that more than half of those responding said connecting to nature by listening to bird song, hearing bees buzz, and seeing and smelling wildflowers was beneficial to their health and wellbeing. 

The Savanta poll1 was carried out ahead of The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge, which takes place across Somerset in June and calls on people to soak up the joy of the natural world throughout the month, through a weekly series of fun, themed activities. 

In the last ten years, 30 Days Wild has attracted more than three million participants across the country and helped people to get outside, to enjoy and connect with nature as part of their everyday lives.  

Woman meditating in a field, overlooking a river

meditate - Matthew Roberts

The new poll asked more than 2,000 people which they felt benefited their health most, whether that be connecting with nature where they lived; seeking out nature and green space; leaning about local nature and wildlife; or being inspired creatively by nature. 

The majority (51%, 1,144) highlighted connecting with nature where they lived as the best way to boost their health and wellbeing. 30 Days Wild gives people the chance to notice nature on their doorsteps. 

Feedback from participants in the 2024 30 Days Wild challenge also reinforced the findings of the new poll, showing that three-quarters of those taking part noted improvements in mental health and wellbeing, with activities like spending time outdoors, observing wildlife, and engaging in mindful practices being particularly beneficial.

Kristen Lambert, Wilder Lives Manager at Somerset Wildlife Trust, says:  “Nurturing deeper connections with nature, beyond ourselves can be so beneficial for our wellbeing and for the health of natural environments in our communities. Sadly though, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and it can sometimes be difficult to know what we can do to help the natural world, and what it can do for us.” 

Liz Bonnin

Liz Bonnin (C) Andrew Crowley

Liz Bonnin, TV presenter and president of The Wildlife Trusts, says:  “Connecting to the natural world is the first step to caring for it and playing a part in protecting it. It starts with the simple things – listening to morning birdsong, to hedgerows humming with life, or even just pausing to watch the clouds drift across the sky. This June, join us for #30DaysWild with The Wildlife Trusts, and fall back in love with nature. 

“I’ll be taking a moment to immerse myself in nature – I'm going to walk barefoot in the grass, listen to the buzz of insects in my garden, and look up at bright green tree canopies against azure, blue skies. These small acts of ‘wildness’ are feel-good moments that not only remind us how connected we are to nature, they also inspire us to protect it.  

“I believe in the magic of nature. It heals, it inspires and reconnects us to what truly matters in life. If you’ve never taken part in 30 Days Wild before, this is your year. Fall back in love with the planet – one wild day at a time.” 

David Oakes

Image Credit: Eleanor Church

Actor and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, David Oakes, best known for his roles in dramas such as Victoria and for his discursive natural history podcast, Trees a Crowd, described 30 Days Wild as a ‘highlight of his year’.

He says: “30 Days Wild is a highlight of my year, doubly so as my family grows and gets more actively involved. It’s a great opportunity for everyone, especially those new to nature, to participate in simple and fun activities that highlight just how easily we can connect with the wildlife all around us. Nature needs our help more than ever right now, so sign up to join in with 30 Days Wild this June and help make a genuine difference on your own doorstep!” 

In this year’s challenge people can take part in fun, distinctive, themed activities each week: 

  • Help nature where you live: Try growing wildlife friendly plants, leaving food and water out, or building homes for wildlife.
  • Get physical with nature in mind: Find adventure in the everyday by going for local bike rides or new woodland walks. Try out wildlife yoga or play sensory bingo.
  • Learn about the amazing wildlife around us: Download our spotter guide and see how many creatures you can find, join a wildlife talk and learn from experts, or read a book about wildlife.
  • Get creative with nature: Start a nature journal or create a wild picture using fallen objects. 

An inspirational guide packed with ideas is available to everyone who signs up to take part, as well as a free packet of herb seeds to start your nature journey. Made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, 30 Days Wild encourages everyone to connect with nature. It could be going on a snail safari, eating your breakfast outdoors, closing your eyes to listen for bird song, outdoor yoga or forest bathing. 

Sign up today to secure your goodies, including your free seeds, and embark on a journey that promises not just a month, but a lifetime, of wildness! Visit www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild

Press office

Emily Weatherburn | emily.weatherburn@somersetwildlife.org | 07840 840737  Ben Neenan | ben.neenan@somersetwildlife.org | 07548 764279 

Editor's notes

1Savanta interviewed 2,263 UK adults online between 17 and 20 April 2025. Data was weighted to be representative of UK adults by age, gender, ethnicity, and region. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Respondents were asked to rank: Which do you feel benefits your health the most? 1,144 (51%) said Connecting with nature where I live - e.g., listening to bird sing, hearing bees buzz, seeing and smelling wild flowers; 860 (38%) said Seeking out nature and green space, e.g., by going for a walk or visiting a nature reserve; 138 (6%) said Proactively finding out more and learning about nature and the wildlife around me; and 122 (5%) said Being inspired creatively by nature, e.g. by drawing, painting or photography. 

About People’s Postcode Lottery 

Funds are raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Planet Trust: www.postcodelottery.co.uk  

About 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 35,000 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 2,000 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  

About Somerset Wildlife Trust:  

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a nature conservation charity. Its purpose is to restore and protect the populations of species across the county and the habitats they call home. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to nature, natural habitats and the ecosystems that support our life on earth.  Our aims are to help address both the ecological and climate crises and put nature back into people’s lives.  

Nature reserves and protected sites on their own are not enough. In order to reverse the decline in species diversity and abundance, and create resilient landscapes and habitats for wildlife and for people that can adapt to climate change, we need to:   

  • Encourage and support landowners to manage their land positively for nature; create more space for nature.  
  • Connect wildlife-rich spaces across the wider landscape to create a robust Nature Recovery Network for Somerset.  
  • Create a movement of people – at least 1 in 4 – that take action for nature’s recovery across Somerset as part of Team Wilder.   

This is at the core of our new 10-year strategy. Nationally the Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of land to be managed positively for nature by 2030. What we do in Somerset must contribute to that national ambition. You can read our full 10-year strategy Wilder Somerset here. 

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