A one-day event returns to Bath this summer with a programme which will bring nature to life in the heart of the city.
The Bath Festival of Nature, which is popular with children and families, takes place for a sixth year this weekend.
There will be the chance to discover the latest animal research, get advice on how to make your garden a friend for nature, hear stories from an award-winning author and even try your hand at angling.
In a world-first for a science festival, the event will also be hosted online, giving people from all over the globe the chance to navigate their way around the festival and enjoy talks, workshops and screenings thanks to a collaboration with the University of Bath using the iVent platform.
Highlights of the day include:
- Animal research. Researchers will be showcasing some of the cutting edge work in the city, including a behind the scenes look at animal vision and an in-depth exploration of DNA.
- “Lazy Gardening”. Find out about plants that can save you water (and time) in the garden and discover how a messy garden can help nature, then take away some free seeds to get you started.
- Get crafty. Join in with Avon Wildlife Trust to do insect-themed willow crafts, find out what a nature recovery network is, get hands on with a mini meadow planter and make a pledge for nature.
- Meet the Spider Warriors! Join a series of authors throughout the day in the festival’s Story Corner including local author Emma Read who will be sharing stories from “Milton the Mighty”, winner of the 2017 Bath Children’s Novel Award.
- Art in the park. Visitors to the festival will be asked to participate in a celebration of urban green spaces as Sam Church will be doing a live animation to mark the launch of the Bristol & Bath Parks Foundation.
- Try your hand at angling. Join the casting demonstrations with Wessex Water and the Angling Trust, find out about local fishing spots which are great places to spend time outside in nature, or watch one of our expert flyfishers on display.
- Enjoy the park. Take part in a nature walk with Bath Naturalists and enjoy great food and local entertainment.
Savita Willmott, chief executive of the Natural History Consortium which organises the festival, said: “The Bath Festival of Nature is an incredible day, as we bring the natural world to the heart of the city.
“We’ve got a host of fantastic exhibitors who will inspire children and families to get hands on with nature and help to create the next generation of environmentalists.”
Bath Festival of Nature takes place from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, June 1, at Green Park.
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