There will also be giant puppets, secret trails and a river-themed rave for toddlers
Credit : Anna Barclay
A pop-up wetland will be built in the middle of Bristol’s Millennium Square this June as the UK’s largest free nature festival returns with a bold new focus on water.
The Festival of Nature, now in its 22nd year, runs from Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 15 and will feature over 80 mostly free events across Bristol and Bath.
Organisers hope the theme will highlight the importance of water in supporting ecosystems and biodiversity, while also celebrating restoration efforts in local rivers.
The centrepiece of this year’s programme will be a UK first—an 8×8 metre living wetland exhibit constructed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Bristol’s Harbourside. Visitors will be able to step inside the recreated ecosystem, see sculptures of kingfishers and warblers hidden among the reeds, and learn about the role wetlands play in flood prevention, water purification and wildlife conservation.
Savita Willmott, chief executive of the Natural History Consortium, which produces the festival, said: “We’re so excited to finally reveal this year’s Festival of Nature programme. The incredible pop-up wetland being built in Millennium Square is just one of the many ways we’re helping people connect with nature in unexpected places.”
Savita added: “We decided to focus on the theme of water this year, both in response to concerning recent news, such as the health of the UK’s rivers, and in celebration of the local river restoration projects and new Bath Riverline. Water is so often overlooked, so this year’s programme gives festival goers the opportunity to discover the importance of water spaces and water journeys in supporting nature, biodiversity and the natural world.”
Among the headline events are a wildlife boat trip with zoologist and TV personality Ed Drewitt on Tuesday, June 10, and an environmental talk show hosted by former BBC presenter Ali Vowles on Wednesday, June 11. That show will take place on a boat and feature guests including environmental campaigner Natalie Fée and artist Bandele.
A nature-themed club night, Listen to Your Mother, will be held at the Old Market Assembly on Friday, June 13, hosted by Club SOL and featuring DJs and summer sounds.
Millennium Square will also be the focus for Wild Weekend on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, offering two days of free, family-friendly activities including an animal-themed rave for toddlers and a large-scale water parade with giant puppets.
Other events include River Art in the Park and a mile-long Secret River Trail of painted fish sculptures on Sunday, June 8, and a special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough at the Bristol Aquarium, followed by a talk from the film’s field producer Olly Scholey.
WWT chief executive Sarah Fowler said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Festival of Nature, to show visitors just how wondrous wetlands truly are. These superpowered habitats boost our moods, reduce flooding and purify our water; and they provide homes for 40% of the world’s wildlife.”
Sarah added: “At WWT we strongly believe that every person and community should have access to these incredible blue spaces, but we know right now that’s not the case. Wetlands continue to disappear from the UK and across the globe at a concerning rate, and we want to inspire people to take action for wetlands where they live and work, to help preserve and protect these vital ecosystems.”
Festival events are open to all and most are free, though advance booking is advised. The full programme is now live here: www.festivalofnature.org.uk