Rebecca Gibson shares how we can be inspired by wildlife in unexpected places by participating in a new social media campaign and learning about ‘The Accidental Countryside’.

‘A Focus on Nature’ (AFON) is the UK’s youth nature network, founded in 2012 to inspire and support young people aged 16-30 who are interested in wildlife conservation. AFON is run entirely by volunteers and is designed to help raise awareness of wildlife and promote the work of young people who are passionate about protecting it. To get involved with AFON you can write blog posts, share your photography, enter competitions or even join the committee. There’s also the mentoring scheme, which gives you the opportunity to get CV feedback, advice and tuition from industry professionals. There are mentors in a wide range of sectors – education, arts, science, writing and conservation – so plenty of knowledge to be shared!

A big part of AFON’s work is focussed on campaigns that get youth voices heard, and the most recent of these is how we can continue to be inspired by the natural world during the lockdown. It’s called #UnlikelyNature and is all about highlighting the little surprises that bring us joy and hope.

AFON’s campaign statement:

“Nature is everywhere, even in the most unusual places. In these strange times we need to appreciate nature in whatever form it comes. So where do you find your daily dose of #VitaminN? From roadsides, to a crack in a wall, nature can be found anywhere and everywhere. With spring in full swing, we are seeing the natural world bloom around us. But just because we’re in lockdown doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the spontaneity and resilience of nature. Is there a flower growing between pavement slabs that gives you hope? Have you seen an unlikely visitor in your local area? Do you have a favourite tree that you walk by every day? If you do, we want to hear about it.”

When it comes to unlikely wildlife that survives against the odds, author, naturalist and AFON mentor Stephen Moss knows where to find it. In his latest book ‘The Accidental Countryside’, Stephen journeys across Britain looking for nature in unexpected environments. Finding wildlife in our local area is particularly important during the lockdown – I asked Stephen about some of the seemingly ordinary places we can visit to make some intriguing discoveries.

"At a time when we are confined to our home and daily exercise walk or bike ride, the nature on our doorstep has become even more important,” Stephen told me. “Depending where you live, you might be close to what I call 'the Accidental Countryside' - for example churchyards and cemeteries, roadside verges, disused railway lines and former quarries and gravel pits. What all these places have in common is that they were originally created for our own use, but where nature has found a hidden haven. And now, you can enjoy nature there too!"

During lockdown it’s easy to feel distanced from nature because we can’t visit our favourite reserves and other wild places, but Stephen’s book proves that wildlife can be found anywhere. No matter where you live and which habitats you have access to, there will something to discover.

All next week (11th to 17th May) AFON would like you to share wildlife images that inspire and intrigue you during your daily walks. Make sure to use the hashtag #UnlikelyNature and tag @AFONature to spread the word. At the end of the week, the team will create a video of all the assembled photos, celebrating the resilience and power of nature in the most unlikely of places.

To find out more about AFON and to get involved, take a look at their website. ‘The Accidental Countryside’ is available in hardcover and Kindle edition.

For more from Rebecca, visit her website.

Unlikely Nature

Rebecca Gibson shares how we can be inspired by wildlife in unexpected places by participating in a new social media campaign and learning about ‘The Accidental Countryside’.