In the age of asphalt and smartphones and among the distractions of modern life, connections with nature can be fleeting.

But World Environment Day emphasises that we need harmony between humanity and nature so that both are able to thrive.

This year’s theme invites us to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it.

It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship.

World Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action.

It takes place every June 5 and is a day for everyone, everywhere.

Since it was declared by the United Nations in 1972, global citizens have organised many thousands of events, from neighbourhood clean-ups, to action against wildlife crime, to replanting forests.

Above all, World Environment Day is the ‘people’s day’ for doing something to take care of the Earth or become an agent of change.

That ‘something’ can be focused locally, nationally or globally; it can be a solo action or involve a crowd. 

It doesn't have to take place on June 5, either.

This date is set as an annual reminder to us all of the importance of caring for our earth. 

From a WIRES perspective a healthy and safe environment is vital for our wildlife to thrive. It is essential to have healthy and safe environments into which we can release the creatures that we care for once they are ready to return to the wild.

Sadly these 'safe' areas are disappearing at an alarming rate and we need to do all we can to halt the decline. We all need to do our bit to protect the earth, no matter how small our efforts may seem.

All the little bits add up to a big bit!

So please think of what you can do to help: plant a tree, say 'no' to plastic bags and excess packaging, remember the 'three Rs'. Reduce, reuse, recycle to conserve our natural resources, and the list goes on! 

A very important thing that we can all do is to encourage the children in our lives to engage with nature.

It's a growing concern that many of them spend too much time slumped in a chair staring at a smartphone, tablet or TV screen, and too little time outdoors, running, riding and playing in the fresh air.

We need to get them off their electronics and plugged into nature, get them to have a balance in their lives.

They need to learn about and appreciate the wonders and importance of nature and how to care for our Earth.

After all, their futures depend on it.