Somerset Wildlife Trust is delighted to launch ‘New Year, Wilder You’ — a brand new initiative that aims to help inspire and motivate people to give their health and wellbeing a boost at the start of the new year through a range of nature-friendly activities to suit all ages and abilities — all of which also make a positive and meaningful contribution to ensuring the amazing wildlife and wild, green places we all love stay that way. 

The New Year, Wilder You initiative will run for six weeks from January 1st to mid-February, and the Trust will be sharing ideas and inspiration to encourage people across the county to make a difference, while demonstrating how simple it can be to become part of the solution nature needs. 

Ways people can get involved include: 

• Challenging yourself: take on a new physical challenge that gets you out into nature, with options including your first 5km run, a 35-mile flat and friendly cycle, an exhilarating hike up Snowdon to catch the sunrise, a caving adventure in the depths of the Mendip Hills, and much more. 

• Giving a little back: claim your Somerset Wildlife Trust membership for half price this new year, joining a community of over 23,000 nature lovers and supporting Somerset’s biggest nature charity at a time when our natural environment needs us more than ever. 

• Improving your wellbeing: commit to spending more time in nature in 2025, whether that means stepping outside for a walk close to home, travelling to a green space, or simply taking the time to notice the things you find beautiful in nature. 

• Donating your skills and time: get involved in volunteering this new year, with opportunities including joining a practical conservation group, running a Wildlife Watch group for kids, or supporting Somerset Wildlife Trust in one of their offices across Somerset. 

• Leaving a legacy: support future generations by making or updating your Will and choosing to include a gift for nature. Somerset Wildlife Trust are even offering free Will-writing services to support you. 

• Giving your celebration: pledge your birthday, anniversary, or Christmas this year and ask your friends and family to make a donation in your name, turning life’s milestones into a force for good. 

Kirby Everett, Head of Marketing Communications at Somerset Wildlife Trust, says: 

“New Year is a time when lots of us make promises to do things differently – for ourselves, our families and the communities we’re part of. We want to support people to max out their motivation, inspire them to break out of the norms and do something brilliant for themselves and for their wellbeing — but at the same time make sure that whatever they do can benefit nature and wildlife at the same too. Now is when nature needs us the most. Now is the time for people to Do Good and Feel Good.  

“We’re all different, and have different ambitions at new year, so this campaign is all about choice. Whether you want to challenge yourself physically, just get outside more, fundraise or put in some time to support a local green space – it doesn’t matter – you can just take your pick to do your bit. We are here to motivate people along the way.” 

You can find out more about New Year, Wilder You and what you can do for nature in 2025 here.