by Alice Ashcroft, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
The time for New Year’s resolutions is nearly upon us. Every year we make endless promises to ourselves; run four miles a day, start drinking green tea, take up yoga, find inner peace, ad infinitum, ad nauseam. If you do well, you’ll keep it up for a month. Maybe two if you’re determined. But why not make a lasting change, one that will benefit future generations and the environment as well?
Make your resolutions not only for yourself, but for creatures less fortunate. Make your resolutions for those who are so often forgotten, for the feathered, furred and scaled among us. Make your resolutions for wildlife, and make the world a better place – in the immortal words of Gandhi, ‘you must be the change you wish to see in the world’.
If you’re running low in inspiration, here are a few suggestions…
- Send us records of wildlife.
If you’re out and about and there’s wildlife around you, tell us what you see. Wildlife records are invaluable for our conservation work as they give us a good idea of how well species are doing in different areas. Send in your records to www.livingrecord.net - Learn a new skill.
There’s so much to learn about the natural world. Why not learn to identify flowers, recognise birdsong or the constellations in the night sky? We have lots of courses available to help you on your way – take a look at our website to see what’s on near you. - Pick up five pieces of litter every day.
Litter chokes, entangles and maims our precious local wildlife. Pick up just five bits of rubbish every day for the whole year and you will prevent nearly 2,000 pieces of litter from harming wildlife! - Take part in 30 Days Wild this June!
It’s brilliant fun and an excellent way to re-establish your connection with the natural world. Best of all, you’re almost certain to feel happier and healthier for taking part. - Make your garden a wildlife haven.
Whether you have a window box or 100 acres, your garden can be a huge help to wildlife, particularly during the winter months. A bowl of water and a handful of seed can make a world of difference. - Raise money for us. Be creative, have fun and use your abilities to help us. You could organise a coffee morning or do a sponsored run, swim or bike ride. Whatever you choose to do, every penny raised will be used to help local wildlife.
- Share your photos with us. Sharing the beauty of wildlife through photography is a wonderful way to inspire people. We love it when our supporters send us photos of their wildlife experiences so we can share them in our magazine, or via Facebook or Twitter. We’ll make sure we credit you and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that your photography skills are enthusing others about our amazing local wildlife.
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