Festival of Nature returns to Bristol and Bath

The UK’s biggest free celebration of the natural world returns to the Bristol region with a focus on showcasing a multitude of different voices.

The 19th annual Festival of Nature runs from June 5 to 12 and will feature a whole host of virtual and in-person events, from tree yoga to outdoor talks in secret locations.

The week-long celebration, which had a reduced programme last year, is back with a bang and will showcase 100 voices of people working to boost nature in Bristol and Bath. The aim for 2021 is to inspire 25,000 ‘actions for nature’ to help the natural world flourish within communities.

It comes as new research released from Natural England suggests that nature became a more important part of our routines over the last year, as life slowed down under coronavirus restrictions.

Between April 2020 and March 2021, one in five (18 per cent) of adults in England spent time in nature every day and 72 per cent got outside at least once a week, according to The People and Nature Survey.

Savita Willmott, chief executive of the Natural History Consortium, which organises the festival, said: “The research from Natural England shows just how much we as a nation have relied on the natural world to tide us through consecutive lockdowns. The question now is how do we maintain our new-found connection to nature as our lives get busier?

“The Festival of Nature is the perfect opportunity to find new ways to engage with and spend time in nature, and it’s all completely free. With a focus this year on voices for nature, we’re going to be giving a voice to people who are helping nature and wildlife to flourish across Bristol and Bath.

“The Festival of Nature has become a key event in the West’s calendar over the years, and we’re tremendously excited that we’ve been able to offer new and exciting ways to engage with wildlife this year. With online and in-person events taking place across Bristol and Bath, as well as over 100 pieces of video and audio content set to be released over the week, there really is something for everyone.”

The aim for 2021 is to inspire 25,000 ‘actions for nature’ – photo by Miriam Gooch

This year will see the launch of Festival of Nature TV and podcasts, with video and audio content to transport listeners to sites such as Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bristol and Bath’s parks, Bristol Zoo, Tyntesfield, and the Botanic Gardens.

There are plenty of chances to get creative too, with guided virtual draw-alongs, make-alongs and cook-alongs all themed around nature, as well as a session on writing a nature poem led by Bristol’s city poet Caleb Parkin.

Alongside the programme of events, organisers are encouraging the public to take ‘action for nature’ and have released a list of actions to inspire people to help nature flourish in their communities.

Find out more and see the full programme of content and events via www.festivalofnature.org.uk.

Main photo by Steven Williams

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