Many people have discovered a love of nature and our green spaces over lockdown, valuable not just for their own sakes but also for our physical and mental wellbeing. Although we are starting to move forward from Covid-19, many of us will be spending another summer at home. Make the most of this by having a nature-themed summer in 2021.
Create a nature garden
As the weather improves, those of us lucky enough to have a garden of our own can make this the year we create a garden that is not just a haven for humans but also for the local wildlife. This could be as easy as hanging out some bird feeders with a selection of foods to attract a range of species, growing plants to attract bees and butterflies (click here for some suggestions) or, if you are feeling ambitious, why not try something bigger like building a bug hotel or even a pond! Read our Top 10 Ways to Make your garden more Wildlife Friendly article for some starting ideas.
Stargazing and garden camping
How many of us truly take time to appreciate the stars? We don’t have to travel far afield to see beautiful natural spectacles – why not try setting up the tent in your garden and have an adventure right on your doorstep? Make sure you take snacks for a midnight feast, a torch (spooky stories are definitely optional!) and remember to see how many different constellations you can name. The BBC has a detailed stargazing guide to start you off but remember that different countries at different times of the year will see different stars!
Litter picking
An unfortunate side effect of lockdown has been an increase in litter in our green spaces. If you feel like doing something active to help the wildlife in your local area, why not recruit a team (always adhering to social distancing restrictions) to collect and safely dispose of the rubbish in your local area. Remember to wear protective equipment and never put yourself in danger trying to reach rubbish. Read how to collect litter here safely.
Bird and insect identification
As our gardens become a hive of activity (excuse the pun!) in the warmer days, why not set yourself a challenge to learn something new? See how many
different species of garden birds you can identify, including their calls and songs. Or really test yourself with smaller creatures like butterflies and bees.
Organisations such as the RSPB and BugLife have a range of resources to get you started. Get the whole family involved and see who can spot the most exciting species!
And for when it rains…
Let’s face it – we are unlikely to have a summer without at least one rainy day! But staying indoors doesn’t mean abandoning nature either. Why not try some nature-themed baking, expand your knowledge with books and online resources, or make your own bird food?
Whatever you decide, have a brilliant nature-themed summer!
Blog by OneKind volunteer, Ami Patrick.