Six ways to swap this Great Big Green Week

Six ways to swap this Great Big Green Week

The UK’s biggest celebration of climate and nature action is happening this summer - and everyone’s invited. This year’s Great Big Green Week is all about swaps, whether that’s skills, ideas, fashion or fruit! Here’s what’s happening – and how you can get involved.

These days, you can’t escape the impact of extreme weather. It’s here and happening now. But it can be tough to find the time to roll up your sleeves and do something. 

The Great Big Green Week is your chance to get involved. Taking place between 8th and 16th June, it’s a UK-wide festival of fun, practical events, organised by communities for the good of everyone. Whether you take part with your family, your community, your place of worship, your school or your business, there are plenty of ways to get involved. 

Last year we saw lots of brilliant activities take place at local Wildlife Trusts and in communities across the country, and we can’t wait to see all the exciting plans unfold for this year.

Kick start your wild summer

This year’s Great Big Green Week will coincide with 30 Days Wild, The Wildlife Trusts’ annual summer challenge that encourages people to do one wild thing every day throughout June. 

Your wild activity can be anything! From watching the birds out your window to building a hedgehog house to going stargazing. 30 Days Wild is all about getting people connected to the nature on their doorstep, so why not make your Great Big Green Week swap a wild one? Instead of spending your lunch break inside, why not head out into the great outdoors?

Sign up for 30 Days Wild

 

Great Big Green Week sign amongst summer flowers

(c) Vickie Couchman and The Climate Coalition

Let’s swap together for good

From neighbours swapping skills to businesses trading fossil fuels for solar panels – small changes can add up to a big difference. By taking action together at the same time this June, we can show politicians that communities across the country care about climate change and the natural world. 

Here are some ideas for how you can join in: 

#1 Swap indoors for outdoors

Switch the office for walking meetings. Coordinate a nature trail or walk at your local Wildlife Trust with friends and family. Or think about ways to help people who aren’t able to get outside to experience nature. 

#2 Eat something green

Food has a huge environmental impact. You could swap meat for plant-based feasts. Share surplus produce with other local gardeners. Or host a local Great Big Green Week food event with farmers and foodies from your area.

#3 Set up your own repair shop

Embroidery. Mechanics. Electrics. Do you – or others you know – have a skill you could share? Host or connect with a repair café or shop where people can swap skills and bring old items that need fixing. 

#4 Swap new for second hand

Ditch fast fashion for second hand, upcycled and reworked clothes. Perhaps you could organise a clothes swap with your friends and neighbours as part of the Great Big Green Week?

#5 Swap lawn for wildflowers

Swap regular lawn mowing for a biodiverse nature haven. You could even try doing this for the whole month of May by taking part in No Mow May! 

#6 Get closer to nature

Walk. Run. Wild swim. Go wildlife spotting. Getting moving in nature is great for the mind and body. And, arranging an event in your area will help strengthen community connections. 

To find out more and get involved, visit greatbiggreenweek.com today.

Group of people walking through a garden

(c) Vicki Couchman and The Climate Coalition

What is the Great Big Green Week?

The Great Big Green Week is all about fun ways to bring people together to tackle climate change and protect nature. It’s the UK’s biggest celebration of positive community action. The Wildlife Trusts works with other members of The Climate Coalition to deliver Great Big Green Week.

How to organise an event

Visit greatbiggreenweek.com for all the help you need for your event. Make sure to add your event to the website so that others in your local area can find it. What’s more, when you register it on the website, you’ll receive a FREE pack of handy resources.