About Us

Who are we?

The Natural History Consortium is a charitable collaboration of 14 organisations working together on a shared mission: engaging people with the natural world through collaborative action.

Our regional and national partners deliver joint projects, including cutting-edge events with live and digital audiences, an ongoing programme of research and evaluation, and sector-facing initiatives to bring environmental communicators together to share best practice. Find out more about our mission and our people.

Collaborate with us and our programmes – we’d love to hear from you at info@bnhc.org.uk

Some highlights from our history:

2023

This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Festival of Nature in the summer and bring Communicate conference to Bristol, London and Manchester in the Autumn

2022

We ran Festival of Nature and Communicate conference in combined digital and in-person formats, reaching even larger audiences across multiple cities in the UK

2022

We ran the headline commission project for the Bristol City Council High Streets and City Centre Renewal programme with ‘Overstory’, an installation combining public art with nature engagement in Bristol’s Shopping Quarter

2020

We ran Festival of Nature as a fully digital festival for the first time, followed by 2021’s summer event with a second successful online programme

2018

We formalised our Research & Evaluation strand, and our Research Group began meeting regularly to explore opportunities

2017

We ran our first City Nature Challenge, taking the top spot in Europe

2016

Our River Avon project sets up poetry boards along the walking trail of the River Avon, catching the attention of national media

2015

As Bristol held the title of European Green Capital, our partners led the development of the nature strategy, and our Festival of Nature was a set piece of the year

2014

Bristol99, an innovative citizen science project, led to our ambition of reaching every ward in the West of England through our public work

2013

Our CEO travelled to Brussels to help Bristol win the title of European Green Capital, and helped lead the project as Director of Education and Engagement

2012

We ran the London 2012’s Cultural Olympiad’s only environmental programme, Meet the Species, reaching audiences across the UK

2011

Our local work expanded from Bristol across to Bath, solidifying our public work as regional and sector facing work as national

2010

The National BioBlitz Network is born as part of International Year of Biodiversity

2009

We run one of the UK’s first BioBlitz events, leading to the development of one of our major strands of work

2008

Bristol Natural History Consortium (our original name) is recognised as the Charity Commission as we formalise our structure

2007

Communicate’s theme is Going Mainstream, as the environmental movement starts to hit the front pages

2006

Savita Willmott joins as Chief Executive, leading the organisation to the present day

2005

Festival of Nature in Bristol moves to its current home across the Harbourside

2004

Communicate conference is run for the first time

2003

The founding partners come together to set up the partnership, and the first Festival of Nature is delivered

OUR PEOPLE

The Natural History Consortium brings together the skills and experience of a unique gathering of people to achieve our collective aim of engaging people with the natural world.

Our Partners: NHC Steering Group

Each of the members of the Natural History Consortium is actively involved in setting the agenda for NHC activities and programmes through the NHC Steering Group, as well as specific planning committees and consultation groups for each of the major programmes.

Julie Doherty & Xuela Edwards

Avon Wildlife Trust

Mark Minkely

Bath and Northeast Somerset Council

Stephanie Marshall

BBC

Richard Ennion & Isla Gladstone

Bristol City Council

Jen Nightingale

Bristol Zoological Society

Emily Ambrose

Defra

Naomi Fuller

Forestry England

Sunita Welch

Natural England

Paula James

National Trust

Helen Featherstone

University of Bath

Rhys Charles

University of Bristol

Jackie Rogers

University of the West of England

Laura Williams

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Jane Craven & Rosie Walker

Woodland Trust

Staff Team

Our experienced and dynamic staff team delivers the NHC programme of events and activities on behalf of the Consortium partnership.
You can contact any of our team at info@bnhc.org.uk

Savita Willmott

Savita Willmott

Chief Executive Officer

Savita joined the NHC in 2006, when the partners who make-up the consortium were finding their way in the first years working together. She managed the NHC’s transition to charitable status in 2008, and as Chief Executive continues to grow the impact and reach of the projects locally, nationally, and internationally.

Stuart Payton

Stuart Payton

Senior Programmes Manager

After volunteering at NHC events for several years, Stuart joined the team in 2017 and is our resident project delivery powerhouse, working across the full range of NHC programmes. Stuart is an active member of the Bristol Nature Network, sitting on the committee as their NHC representative.

Ellie Turner-Wallace

Ellie Turner-Wallace

Senior Programmes Manager

Ellie joined the team in February 2020, having previously worked in education and engagement roles for organisations such as the National Trust, American Museum and Gardens, and Secret World Wildlife Rescue. Ellie particularly enjoys sharing her passion for nature and conservation with children and young people.

Izzy Pulletz

Izzy Pulletz

Marketing and Communications Manager

Izzy joined the NHC in February 2022, with previous work in and a passion for communications and marketing for environmental organisations, with a keen focus on celebrating and conserving wildlife. Covering NHC’s annual programme of events and campaigns, Izzy leads on digital and print marketing, social media management, content and design.

Loz Emerson

Loz Emerson

Actions for Nature Officer

Loz has experience in fundraising, land management and wildlife recording roles through Avon Wildlife Trust and public engagement with Bristol Zoological Society. She joined the NHC team in September 2022, and is most looking forward to supporting NHC’s programme of public engagement events, including City Nature Challenge and the EuroBioBlitz.

Abby Charlesworth

Abby Charlesworth

Programmes Officer

Abby joined NHC in October 2022 after a decade in education. She is a charity trustee (Wicked Weather Watch), has a background in arts events and holds a MSc in Education for Sustainability, creating and piloting a course of climate change education for teachers. She is passionate about climate justice and action research approaches to problem-solving.