Features / #BristolCharityAdvent
#BristolCharityAdvent day 24: Festival of Nature
Bristol’s annual Festival of Nature is the UK’s largest celebration of the natural world, curated by Bristol Natural History Consortium. They aim to inspire more people in Bristol to get out into the natural world, and 2018 is a special year as the festival celebrates its 15th anniversary.
The consortium is also running the Nature City Challenge in 2018, asking people in 90 regions around the globe to collect as much biodiversity data in a set period (April 27-30 2018). It could be the largest wildlife survey ever done in the UK over the Bristol and Bath region, with special programmes for businesses, schools, community centres, care homes and anyone with a garden or living near a park.
The Festival of Nature aims to connect Bristolians to the natural world
Growing from a group of people with an interest in natural history, Bristol Natural History Consortium now has 14 partners – ranging from government departments including DEFRA, National Trust, Bristol Zoo, Avon Wildlife Trust, both of Bristol’s universities and the BBC’s Natural History Unit.
is needed now More than ever
“In terms of the structure and the range of partners, as far as we know the consortium is the only one in the world,” says Savita Wilmott, CEO of the consortium. “To have them working together by consensus is great, and perhaps even unique.”
The festival aims to inspire people of all ages
The Festival of Nature was always what the consortium imagined for spreading their message. “Rather than creating a committee or working group, the very first thing they did was put on a Festival of Nature,” says Savita. “The thought was, if we’re going to do something together, let’s do something for the city, and something that no single organisation could do on their own.”
The 2017 festival attracted over 30,000 visitors and involved a three-week programme of free events stretching along the River Avon from Bristol to Bath, as well as the familiar weekend of events in Millennium Square. In 2018 the festival will run from June 2-10 with a special programme of talks, debates and special events. There will be a particular focus on reducing plastic waste, inspired by Blue Planet II.
Stay up-to-date with Festival of Nature events by visiting www.bnhc.org.uk. Volunteer Stuart Payton is currently training to run the London Marathon for the charity, by running between all of Bristol’s 99 parks and green spaces. Funds raised by his efforts will go towards putting on free community events and nature programmes around Bristol. Donate at www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/stuart-payton-SAVMLMBONDS3332018-831640.
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