12 Days Wild is Avon Wildlife Trust’s festive challenge which takes place from 25 December to 5 January. The idea is to do one wild thing every day or night – are you up for the challenge? Simply sign up and you’ll receive daily inspirational emails packed with fun ideas to help you embrace winter walks in nature or the magic of night-time star gazing, bound to lift your mood and much more!

I'm up for the challenge!

Want some ideas to get you started? You could:

• Track animals by looking for footprints in the mud or snow
• Go star gazing on a clear night
• Go winter wildlife watching on a walk at a nature reserve
• Or even volunteer at a nature reserve – nature will appreciate it
• Make a New Year’s resolution to help nature. What will you do in 2025?

Stuart McCarthy-Thompson at Avon Wildlife Trust, says:

“The gap between Christmas and New Year always feels extra special as we step away from the usual hectic pace of everyday life.

"We’re taking on the 12 Days Wild Challenge as a family project – a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and some new ideas. Our first idea is to make some festive bird treats, to try and attract some different species to our garden.

"One of favourite places is our local river, so we’re going to visit a few times and record the wildlife that we see. For a change of scenery, we’ll make a short trip to some nature reserves that we haven’t visited yet, which have been on our wishlist for a little while.”

BBC TV presenter and Wildlife Trust Vice President Iolo Williams, shares his love of winter wildlife. He says:

 “From dawn to dusk, winter wildlife is busy all around us. Otters are always up early and if you see a trail of bubbles in the water, you’ll know they’ve spotted you first.

“Night-hunting barn owls venture out on cold winter days to find extra food and will woosh past you in the winter sun. Then, at dusk, starlings gather in the sky forming ever-shifting shapes and patterns known as murmurations.

“There are so many wildlife adventures to be had during 12 Days Wild – I hope you enjoy them.”

Spending time in nature –night or day – is proven to help people feel happier and healthier. A Wildlife Trusts’ survey found that participants of the 30 Days Wild summer challenge felt 56% more connected to nature after taking part, and that it boosted the health of participants by an average of 30%.

Find out more about the challenge and sign up today!