Bring out your wild side

When we stop and think, we all know that nature is good for us – but how often do we stop and think?

Devon Wildlife Trust has launched My Wild Life which encourages us all to stop for a minute to reflect on what wildlife means to us and think about how to make wildlife part of our everyday lives. 

If we did this, not only would wildlife benefit, but so would we – because contact with nature is good for us.   Those people lucky enough to live near and experience green spaces have a 50% chance of being more healthy – both physically and mentally and are 40% less likely to become overweight or obese.   

Sir David Attenborough has travelled the world in search of wildlife but in London where he lives he can watch stag beetles flying in his garden and marvel at ancient trees in London’s parks.  Sir David, The Wildlife Trusts’ President Emeritus, says:  “Contact with nature should not be the preserve of the privileged. It is critical to the personal development of our children.”

This is why Devon Wildlife Trust is restoring wildlife and wild places in the county’s towns and cities as well as in its wonderful countryside, and why we are encouraging people from all walks of life to share their own personal stories about what nature means to them.    Sir David Attenborough is one of hundreds of people taking part so far, alongside students, nurses, families, volunteers, teachers and many others from across the UK.  From today his, and other stories, can be found at www.mywildlife.org.uk where people can add their own story and discover wild places near to them.

Sir David continues “People turn to nature in moments of joy and in moments of sadness.  We are part of the natural world: we depend on it for the air we breathe and the food we eat. The Wildlife Trusts are helping people to understand their role in the natural world and their dependency on it.  This is essential if we are going to speed nature’s recovery.” 

Simon King OBE, The Wildlife Trusts’ President, said:  “People across the UK benefit from the work The Wildlife Trusts do – from nature therapy projects to forest schools, the thousands of wild places we care for and our work bringing back wildlife and natural processes to landscapes.  We’ve always known that contact with nature can make a big difference to people’s lives.  The evidence is now building to back this up. We hope these stories inspire others to think about their relationship with the natural world and to make nature part of their life.”

Imogen, 15, from Exeter has been volunteering for Devon Wildlife Trust for the past six months and her story features in My Wild Life.  Imogen says: “I volunteer for The Trust as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award and I chose the charity because it looks after the things that I really care about. I love Devon as a place to grow up in. I body-board and swim in its seas, I love the feeling of freedom I get from walking on Dartmoor and I like sharing these spaces with its very special wildlife.”

Steve Hussey from Devon Wildlife Trust explained the thinking behind the My Wild Life campaign: "The South West’s landscapes and nature are what underpins our quality of life - they make this a special place to be. Unfortunately, in our busy daily lives we sometimes lose sight of this and the things that really matter. With My Wild Life we’re asking people to stop, think and then tell us what their connection to nature is. We’re interested in hearing all about people’s wild lives!"

Everyone can share their stories of the wildlife and wild places which matter to them and why, using #MyWildLife on twitter, facebook and Instagram.

• Find inspiration – explore stories about people and nature at mywildlife.org.uk, including Sir David Attenborough’s.
• Share your wild life – share your ‘Wild Life’ and what nature means to you.  Upload your story at mywildlife.org.uk or use #MyWildLife
• Wild is better, pass it on – read and share our ‘10 Reasons Why Wild Is Better’ infographic at mywildlife.org.uk
• Make nature part of your life – see our ideas for putting the wild back in your life mywildlife.org.uk

Discover Devon’s best Wild Walks at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wild-walks/

Start your wild life at one of hundreds of Devon Wildlife Trust events this year http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/whats-on/