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
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
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
Chief Executive OfficerSavita 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
Senior Programmes ManagerAfter 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
Senior Programmes ManagerEllie 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
Marketing and Communications ManagerIzzy 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
Actions for Nature OfficerLoz 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
Programmes OfficerAbby 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.