5 minute read

We all know how difficult it is at the moment trying to make ends meet. The ‘cost of living crisis’ is hitting so many people hard right across Cornwall at the petrol pump, in the supermarket, and as we pay our energy bills – and at Cornwall Wildlife Trust we are so grateful to our members who are continuing to support us in doing urgent work for wildlife at such a tough time.

For parents, grandparents or carers, looking after children during the summer holidays can be particularly challenging – and not just because of those two little words (“I’m bored”). Keeping the holiday blues away whilst staying in the black is never easy. The answer? Go green.

The wildlife and wild places of Cornwall are the most amazing resource we have right outside our door. Enjoying them will have us reaching for our binoculars and not our wallets, using our phones to snap photos rather tapping to pay, and discovering the riches of the natural world which will last in our memories longer than the cash in our bank accounts.

Here are our seven top suggestions...

1. Go rockpooling

Discover the absolutely incredible world inside a rockpool! Head down to a beach and get lost in a mini-universe of a rockpool. Don’t forget to check the tide first and ensure you look after nature.

There are loads of beaches you can rockpool in Cornwall! A few highlights are Swanpool (Falmouth), Kennack Sands (The Lizard), Carne Beach (Portscatho) and Duckpool Beach (Bude).

Download our ‘How to go rockpooling’ guide

Download our ‘Rockpooling detective’ spotter sheet

Listen to an interview with our Marine Conservation Officer on The Wild Cornwall Podcast.

2. Join us at an event

Why not come along to one of the events we run?! They’re either free or for a small donation and are a great way to have fun and learn loads. You may enjoy one of our summer rockpool rambles or visiting an open garden or even discovering some new art in beautiful surroundings.

Check out our 'what's on' page

3. Discover a new nature reserve

At Cornwall Wildlife Trust we manage 59 incredible nature reserves for wildlife across 5,000 acres. How about exploring one of these magical places near you? The entry is completely free! We’d particularly recommend Helman Tor (for a wild walk and rare butterlies), Bartinney (for breath-taking views and Bronze Age history) or Windmill Farm (for bird watching and WWII history).

Become a member to help us look after these wild places

4. Build a hedgehog house

You can build a hedgehog house at any time of year, but this is a great thing to do in the summer so that it’s all ready for the autumn when it will most likely be occupied by a hedgehog looking for a hibernation spot.

Watch our Conservation Manager, Tom Shelley, explain how to build a hedgehog house…

5. Make a den

It doesn’t matter what age you are, making a den is masses of fun and completely free. All you need is to have a walk in some woods and some imagination…

Download our survival shelter guide

6. Create a pond in a bucket

It’s amazing that you can do something extraordinary for wildlife in just one afternoon – and one of the easiest things anyone can do to help nature thrive is create a mini-pond in their garden. You can easily make one in a bucket! Have a look at our guide – or watch a one minute video of a family creating a small pond.

7. Forage – and make nettle soup

Nettle soup?! That sounds a little bit painful. Well, actually, it’s full of vitamins and minerals: it’s as good for you as it is delicious! Not only that, but foraging for food is also free and makes you feel super connected to nature. Check out a recipe and watch our ‘how to’ video for some inspiration…