Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op’s Director of Sustainability and Community, explains how an annual nature challenge can help us to reconnect…

June is one of my favourite months, not least because there’s a slightly higher chance the sun will shine, but also because it’s the Wildlife Trust’s annual nature challenge #30DaysWild and I get to reconnect with my wild side.

For many people, myself included, our natural world has been a lifeline through a series of lockdowns; and the time spent out of doors, in gardens, parks, countryside and other green spaces, has awoken a connection with nature that was previously lost in our daily lives.

Our natural world needs our attention more than ever, with a rapidly changing climate and nature in freefall. This year provides a huge opportunity to refocus that attention on addressing the climate and nature emergencies through cutting carbon emissions and bringing wildlife back to our land and seas.

As nations’ leaders prepare to come together in November for the 26th UN Climate Change conference, it prompts the question – what role could each of us play in putting things right, and helping to restore balance to the planet on which all our lives depend?

At Southern Co-op, we are working in partnership with the Wildlife Trusts in our region, taking action to restore nature at our crematoria and natural burial ground. We are ambassadors for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s team wilder programme, helping to create a blueprint for wilder cities in Portsmouth with plans to extend this partnership to the Isle of Wight later this year. We are also supporting Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Natural Choices, enabling more people from all backgrounds and abilities to experience the health and wellbeing benefits of regular contact with nature, through a programme of events and activities.

So, let #30DaysWild provide some inspiration for you to live a wilder life and do one thing a day throughout June to enjoy, explore and restore nature locally.

You can sign up to the campaign here where there’s lots of inspiration and ideas. The community team and I would love to hear your own #30DaysWild ideas and stories so please share these with us.