Written by Paul Arestides, Transforming Lives Trainee
On November 13th it’s World Kindness Day 2024, a global observance dedicated to celebrating and promoting acts of kindness. The day serves as a reminder of the positive impact that individuals can have through kindness in communities, and the world at large. It encourages people to perform intentional acts of kindness and foster a culture of compassion and generosity.
This is also a time when we can extend this kindness and compassion to wildlife, and show our love for all creatures. Why not do some of the following:
- Create a log pile in the garden or on the allotment. This is a fun exercise to do with all the family, gather up logs and stack them up to create a micro habitat for insects. This will then become a food source for hedgehogs, birds and and also shelter for frogs and toads.
- Organise a litter pick with friends, family or neighbours in your area. Not only will it enhance your park or street, you’ll be helping wildlife that can become entangled or even ingest any rubbish that has been thrown.
- Feed the birds – get those feeders full & ready for the colder months and watch the birds come into your garden, balcony or open space. Feeding birds continually throughout the year has helped urban populations. Due to loss of habitat and the needs to eat more in colder periods, our open spaces provide a haven for birds looking for food.
- Be kind to yourself and step outside, find a woodland or open space and feel nature around you. Whether it’s a lunch break or a weekend stroll, take the time to absorb what nature has to offer, it’s great for the mind and your general wellbeing.
- Build a pond – no better time than to add a pond to your garden or a water feature on a balcony, why not see if the local allotments would be happy for you to get people together and create a wild space? Pond creation is not only good for us it’s a huge benefit to wildlife like frogs, toads, newts and more. Find out how to create a pond here.
- Think about planting a wildflower area. This could be a part of the garden or a pot on a window ledge. Planning now to sow directly in March and April, then see how you have benefitted pollinators for the summer months.
So, let’s all show kindness to each other and our amazing natural world for this coming World Kindness Day 2024.