James has connected with nature every day this June, as part of the The Wildlife Trusts‘ ’30 Days Wild’. Most of these days involved a practice from our book ‘Being in Nature’, a guide to connecting with the natural world.
Here’s what he learned, and what you could do for yourself and your organisation.
Week 1
Having a focus for month and making a commitment to a daily practice felt good.
I started with ‘Being Grateful’ – a great practice as it was soon apparent how little one had to search for wild plants, wildlife or nature – even in the city. Cracks in pavements and walls were common places – as well as nearby open space.
I tried the ‘Spring Forwards’ practice, and reflected on what the season had meant to me, and what I wanted to do before the summer equinox.
Up at the allotment I practiced ‘Green Fingers’ and felt the joy of dirt under the fingernails and feeling connected to the earth. This is something we can do at home with just a window box.
And I realised that the very common ‘silver ragwort’ has the most incredible yellow flowers – like little suns, they lifted my mood every time.
Week 2
I had more travel this week so the chance to see some different environments.
By the seaside I spent time with my ‘Early Memories’. This was all the more poignant when finding some jewel-like periwinkle shells on the beach near where we scattered my mum’s ashes. My connection to nature now owes a lot to hers – and the time we spent together outdoors.
In Central London I gazed up in awe at a magnificent green wall – the practice of awe in nature is great for feeling connected to other people too.
And I ‘Lay in the Grass’ – face down amongst the clover, grasses and the bugs. A world in miniature to get lost in.
Week 3
This week I brought it home – collecting plants from the yard to prepare a salad, including ivy-leaved toadflax which adds a bitter crunch! There were street weeds, blossoming thanks to a local ban on the use of herbicides, and a Father’s Day gift of forest bathing.
One particularly stressful day I took myself off for the ‘Be Kind’ practice. I immediately felt the benefit – pulling me out of my worries and into a much calmer, happier state of perspective.
And Summer arrived – I did the ‘Summer Senses’ practice to notice how the season was shifting, and walked through the evening sunset in celebration.
Week 4
The late week I turned my thoughts to action. We know that people who connect to nature take more action for the planet – and I committed to joining up the new ‘bee highway’ in my street with an extra flower pot or two outside our house.
I sat and stared at the local green wall – the longest and oldest in Europe – which I am volunteering to protect. And I collected litter on a beach walk.
Conclusion
All habits take time to form. James has a head start – he has worked in the fields of environment and nature for many years – but nevertheless strengthened his connection through these practices.
When we know that the UK is one of the least nature connected countries in the world, where time in nature and engagement with nature are declining again after a pandemic high, it is heartening that small daily actions like this make a difference.
We also know that these deeper connections have some big benefits. Not only improved calmness, emotional regulation, happiness and life satisfaction. But also creative thinking, self-esteem, better community relations.
And new studies are emerging all the time which show that we protect what we love. Connection to nature builds action for nature.
How we can help
For organisations
* Help you identify where nature touches your estate and your staff, and build nature connection into your vision and strategy.
* Create beautiful design and installations that make a measurable contribution to biodiversity and wellbeing.
* Co-create employee and customer engagement, so that interventions are meaningful and sustainable.
For individuals