From 16th-22nd June, RSPB Scotland, the nature conservation charity, is encouraging people in Argyll and the Isles to spend a night under the stars to find out which creatures they share their homes with – and raise money to help protect them.
Gardens and outdoor spaces across Scotland will play host to all kinds of campers – adventurous campers building and sleeping in dens and shelters, some sticking to the traditional tent, others planning to sleep on their garden trampoline and some just venturing outdoors to sleep under the stars.
As well as getting their sleepouts sponsored to raise money and help save wildlife, everyone taking part can also do a range of activities, such as den building, torchlight safaris and bug hunting.
All of the money raised will go to help give nature a home.
- £20 could buy a nestbox for starlings
- £30 could pay for a GPS tag to monitor where a seabird flies to find food
- £60 could keep water voles ‘plopping’ as it dives into water.
To help people get the most out of their wild night out, the RSPB has produced a free fundraising pack full of everything you need to host a successful sleepout. It contains lots of fun ideas to make raising money really easy [see note below].
For those that don’t have a garden or if you don’t fancy a whole night in the outdoors, you can join in a Big Wild Sleepout event on a range of nature reserves.
With special night time activities like outdoor cooking, stories round the campfire and night time strolls, this is the ultimate summer Sleepout experience for those looking for a wilder time. A full list is available on the event website www.rspb.org.uk/sleepout.
Leianna Padgett of RSPB Scotland said: “The Big Wild Sleepout is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the creatures that share your garden or outdoor space after the sun goes down. Listen for owls, build a moth trap, make shadow puppets or count shooting stars, there are lots of fun and simple activities and ideas to get you started on our website. You can even raise money for conservation by getting your sleepout sponsored.”
Some of our best loved garden favourites are among the creatures shown to be in serious trouble including starlings, hedgehogs, some butterflies and ladybirds. All are in danger of further declines unless more is done to provide better habitats. [note 3]
The Big Wild Sleepout is being supported by Blacks, the leading outdoor equipment specialist. [note 4]
Ken Reeve, CEO of Blacks, says: “Encouraging people – young and old – to get outdoors and experience nature first-hand is something we’re really passionate about at Blacks. That’s why we’re supporting the Big Wild Sleepout for the second year running. I can’t wait to join in!”
For more information, ideas on how to make the most of your Big Wild Sleepout and to get hold of your free Sleepout fundraising pack, visit the RSPB Scotland website’s sleepout section here.
Getting sponsored
RSPB Scotland have advice for those wishing to take part in th BIg Wild Sleepout and to get sonsorshio to help protect wildlife. It is:
‘Set up a fundraising page on Just Giving and encourage your friends and family to sponsor you. An online sponsorship page is easy to set up and just as easy for people to donate to you. Why not give it a go and start fundraising today? Just visit the RSPB Big Wild Sleepout website for all the details.