The Festival of Nature is back, and is kicking off 20th birthday celebrations by announcing a return to city centre events in Bath and Bristol’s Millennium Square.
The largest ever programme brings together the biggest natural history organisations in the region with a range of special events including a special “action for nature” day.
Natural History Consortium has released the full programme of 60 events across the region, including:
- In Conversation with Megan McCubbin: The star of Springwatch and Autumnwatch comes to Bristol for a special ‘In Conversation’ with BBC Bristol’s Laura Rawlings at St George’s Bristol on June 12th
- Meet Lloyd of the Flies: Get behind the scenes with Aardman’s latest creation Lloyd of the Flies, starring Lloyd, a young fly with plenty to prove. With his best friend Abacus the woodlouse, Lloyd faces endless awkward, annoying and occasionally life-threatening situations. Series creator and director, Matt Walker, joins world renowned fly expert Dr. Erica McAlister at Watershed on June 10th
- Behind-the-scenes of ‘Wild Isles’: Audiences across the UK have been transfixed by stunning cinematography and dramatic spectacles in the 5-part series ‘Wild Isles’ from Silverback Films, showcasing the wildlife of Britain and Ireland as never before. The award-winning Bristol-based production company has joined forces with Festival of Nature to give a special behind-the-scenes look at the show which premiered on BBC One this Spring. Join Silverback series producer Hilary Jeffkins and producer Nick Gates at the Harbour Hotel on June 13th
- Millennium Square’s Wild Weekend featuring Maddie Moate: The festival returns to the much-loved Bristol city centre site, with 50 organisations running free activities over the weekend of June 17-18. The big weekend includes a special appearance by BAFTA award winning TV presenter and YouTuber, Maddie Moate and a “Walking Forest” through the streets of Bristol.
- Family Nature Party: A special festival birthday party for the under 8’s at the centrally located Apex City of Bath Hotel on June 11th, with free all day nature activities exploring pollinators such as bees and butterflies, music performances, and hands-on family workshops.
The full festival programme, with 60 events over 10 days, is now available at www.festivalofnature.org.uk
Savita Willmott, Chief Executive of the Natural History Consortium which organises the festival, said:
“We’re so excited to be celebrating our 20th anniversary with audiences across the West of England. We’ve pulled together our biggest ever programme and can’t wait to bring together a huge range of organisations to inspire everyone to take action for nature this summer”
Family events are free of charge, with free open-access tickets available for nearly all ticketed events. The 20th anniversary festival is supported by the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol Water, We The Curious, Apex City of Bath Hotel, Redcliffe & Temple BID, Bristol City Centre BID, Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council and a range of local grants, trusts and businesses.
The programme and all information is available at www.festivalofnature.org.uk with regular updates and announcements on social at @festofnature
For any media enquiries contact the Festival team at media@bnhc.org.uk or ring Savita on 0777 336 1042
Festival of Nature is an initiative of The Natural History Consortium, which is a charitable collaboration between 14 of the biggest natural history organisations in the city, and it is the strength of this partnership that has helped the festival to flourish for the past decade.
The current members of The Natural History Consortium are Avon Wildlife Trust, Bath & North East Somerset Council, BBC, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Defra, Forestry England, National Trust, Natural England, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Woodland Trust.
The Festival of Nature aims to:
- Inspire greater engagement with and action for nature through accessible, celebratory public events that attract new audiences and widen participation;
- Raise awareness of further opportunities to engage with and take action for nature;
- To recognise and enhance the region’s reputation as a leading centre for conservation, environmental research and public engagement with nature.
