News / Nature
Embracing Bristol’s great outdoors this winter
For many people the start of the year marks an opportunity to embrace passions with renewed vigour or get involved in new challenges.
Nature may be the last thing on our minds as it lies dormant outside the window while we stay warm within, but even at this time of year there are things we can do to help the natural environment thrive, and spending time outside can stave off the winter blues.
It may be cold out there, but there are already tons of opportunities across the city to get out and about, as well as meetings and educational events to help brush up on wildlife spotting and green skills.
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It’s the perfect time of year to plant or prune trees, learn more about the nature on the doorstep, try out some wild crafts, and start laying the groundwork for green spaces and habitats that will burst into life as soon as spring clocks back around.
January Moth Challenge
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Butterfly Conservation, the charity devoted to supporting the UK’s butterfly and moth populations, has issued a challenge for the new year. They’re asking people to go out moth-hunting, with a target of spotting ten macro moth species and / or five micro moth species before the month is out.
As well as upping your own moth knowledge, sending in the results will help provide much-needed records for the National Moth Recording Scheme. Find out how to take part at www.facebook.com/savebutterflies
Winter pruning, Dean Lane Orchard – 2.30pm, January 11
Winter is the time to prune trees to ensure the best harvests when fruiting time comes round – photo: Dean Lane orchard, Patchwork Community Gardening Group
Join the Patchwork gardeners in Bedminster for their first session of the year, pruning the apple and pear trees in their community orchard next to the Dame pub. Beginners will be shown the ropes; experienced pruners are asked to bring secateurs and loppers if they have them. There will be cake but bring a hot drink and wrap up warm. Visit the group’s Facebook or Instagram pages for more information.
Nature Connection sessions, Watercress Farm – 9.30am-12pm, January 16 / 22
There is plenty of winter wildlife to spot at Watercress Farm including deer and birds like kingfishers, herons, egrets and hawks – photo: @ab_wildlifephotography
Belmont Estate are offering free opportunities for adults to slow down, switch off and reconnect with the natural world.
Spending time in nature has been show to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress; improve focus, creativity, and mental clarity; and restore balance, calm, and connection to self and surroundings.
The morning’s activities will include mindful nature connection walks, wild activities and time to reflect round the campfire with a cuppa
The Estate say: “We believe in nature’s restorative and therapeutic power, and we know that giving people regular and meaningful access to wild and natural spaces has a positive and long-lasting impact on their emotional, social, and physical well-being. We don’t mind getting muddy, wet, or tired; we want everyone to experience the thrill and adventure of exploring nature!”
Booking, here, is required.
SEND nature-based wellbeing session, Bedminster Quaker Meeting House – 11.15am-12.45pm, January 16
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With a focus on self-care, the group – which meets on a monthly basis – will spend some time in the garden and wooded area surrounding the Meeting House, and making sensory safety boxes full of items that help with self-care. There will be a check-in with natural objects, with a collection provided and a forage for any special objects in the garden.
The group is for SEND parents (no diagnosis necessary) and intends to offer space for some creative, reflective time with likeminded parents. More information and booking links at www.nature-and-nurture.org
Next Steps for Stockwood Open Space? – 11am, January 19
Local resident Samuel Malley started the Friends of Stockwood Nature group and runs regular sessions for people to learn about and help support local green spaces – photo: Ursula Billington
This open-air meeting will consider basic rewilding principles, ask what used to live in this space and how might creatures be encouraged to return. It will be a chance to explore the green space, meet new people and share ideas. Meet at the Stockwood Road entrance to the Stockwood Open Space Nature Reserve.
For more details email samuelmalley@yahoo.com or just turn up. You can also join the Friends of Stockwood Nature group to find out about future events.
Patchwork wassail, Myrtle Street orchard – 2pm, January 25
A wassail is a traditional ceremony that takes place at the start of the year, blessing fruit trees with cider, bread and song to encourage them to thrive in the coming season. Some include green men, Morris dancing and music – photo: St Werburghs City Farm
The community gardeners that spruce up neglected patches in south Bristol promise music, poetry, mulled cider and cake, as well as a good excuse to get outside, make some noise and wake up the trees for the new year, to ensure a good crop of apples in the coming season. More information at here.
This month, wassails will be taking place at orchards across the city – be sure to check nature noticeboards and facebook groups for details of events happening in your local area.
Free Forest Therapy for all, Stockwood Open Space Nature Reserve – 10am-12pm, January 25
Stockwood Open Space Nature Reserve has a community orchard as well as a vast area of scrub, forest and green space – photo: Ursula Billington
A chance to spend a relaxing and rejuvenating morning in nature, connecting with the healing powers of the trees, in this morning outdoor session led by Tris Rodriguez of Trees & Tranquility.
The session will begin with a guided meditation crafted especially for the season, followed by two or three invitations to try mindful activities to support nature connection and wellbeing. This is intended to be an open session and the invitations can be adapted to include everybody. Find all details and booking here.
Fruit tree pruning workshop, Royate Hill allotments – February 2
Mike Feingold has long been a key figurehead on Bristol’s growing scene who is always keen to pass on his skills, and his vibrant allotment in Easton is the perfect place to learn from him – photo: Mark Simmons
Learn vital food growing skills from permaculture guru Mike Feingold in hands-on, hands-in-the-soil workshops at this bountiful allotment patch in east Bristol.
The pruning session is followed by a fruit tree grafting workshop on March 2, and there are also community work parties every Saturday from 11am. This is a chance to get stuck in and learn from the best in the business. Find out more at www.facebook.com/royatehill
BS3 Wildlife meeting, Bristol Beer Factory – 7pm, February 19
Savita Wilmott will talk about the work of the Bristol Natural History Consortium and Peter Loy-Hancocks will outline the results of the 2024 bat survey in Greater Bedminster. The meeting takes place at the BBF on North Street.
Green Skills Muddy Boot camp, Arnos Vale Cemetery – 10am-12.30pm, every Wednesday and Friday from February 19
Arnos Vale Cemetery is the location for the boot camp but students will also have the chance to go off site to take part in green skills activities such as tree planting – photo: Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust
A six week course for 16-20 year olds interested in growing their green skills. The sessions will introduce practical environmental conservation and land-based knowledge, with opportunities to meet a team of green professionals, ask questions and take part in away days with nature-based organisations such as tree planting at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Students will learn how to use hand tools and look after them, how to identify wildlife, more about the characteristics of green habitats, the impact of invasive species, environmental surveying skills and more.
The course is free; deadline to apply is January 17. Applicants should send a short statement or video to russell.porter@arnosvale.org.uk. Find out more at www.facebook.com/arnosvalecemeterytrust
Patchwork gardening session – 10.30am, February 22
This morning gardening session will take place at one of the community green spaces the Bedminster group maintains. Keep an eye on their socials for the location to be confirmed nearer the time.
Bristol Seed Swap, Trinity Centre – 12.30-4.30pm, February 23
The Bristol event is part of a global movement of people who recognise seed swapping as an opportunity to share skills, techniques, knowledge and heritage plant varieties – photo: Bristol Seed Swap
The annual event that aims to make growing more affordable and accessible by making seeds available to everyone. Attendees are invited to contribute to the seed tables with seeds they’ve saved or spare packets they have bought but haven’t used.
Organisers say: “Our second aim is to encourage more people to learn to save seeds and so preserve our rich heritage of open pollinated varieties.”
There’s also a pop up cafe, kids’ area, stalls and talks. Find event details here or at www.bristolseedswap.com.
Wilding Your Street: A How-to Guide – 6pm, February 25
Ecologists have been working with residents in Lockleaze to make space for nature in their neighbourhood including sowing wildflowers, planting trees and creating a wildlife pond – photo: Really Wild Lockleaze
The Really Wild Lockleaze team has been helping residents team up and create nature habitat including wildflower meadows, hedgerows, fruit trees, herbs and berry bushes on council-owned green space.
Now they’re releasing a ‘how-to’ to help others do the same – join this session to find out more, including a step-by-step guide to transforming a nearby roadside verge or housing green, dos and don’ts, and how to monitor the benefits this action brings for both wildlife and people.
All details can be found here.
To keep up to date with all things Bristol nature and wildlife, bristolwildlifegroups.wordpress.com is a useful resource.
Main image: Alexander Turner
Read next:
- Shop of the Week: Plant Studio, Bedminster
- Bristol Sport drive sustainability pledge at primary school
- 28 things to do in Bristol this week, January 13-19 2025
- Nature’s recovery: from strategy to action
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