Wilder Woodland Gathering 2019 Contributors

The natural world is integral to my creative practice because it is my biggest inspiration. Working with my breath, being amongst trees, the sea, observing the patterns of plants and flowers, watching micro-organisms, listening to the rhythms and melodies of birds, feeling the infinite textures of the earth, looking at planets and the stars.  All of this contributes towards the realisation that I do not live in a vacuum, but am a part of a system that is incredibly transient, interconnected and inspiring! 

Visit Jason's website

Artist Alex Rubes will be creating graffiti moths and you can to! 

Alex created the wonderful badger art installation outside our Nottingham office in Sneinton Market. 

Visit Alex's website

By our hands we make our way are woodworkers based in Nottingham's Sneinton Market. They hold courses for adults & young people of all ages, we work with schools communities & therapeutic projects.

Visit their website

Although a relative newcomer to Nottingham, having relocated here in 2017, Michelle Reader has been making unique figurative sculptures from household waste and found objects for over 20 years.  She now works from the Harley Foundation studios on the Welbeck Estate.  Her distinctive sculptures draw attention to environmental issues whilst minimising the environmental impact of the processes used to create them.  Her sculptures are often representations of the natural world - for example a jaguar made from satellite dishes and remote controls, a bumblebee with a gas mask for a face, or a redshank with venetian blind feathers and shelf brackets for a beak. Michelle makes bespoke recycled and sustainable sculptures for businesses and events created from waste materials relevant to the client, which encourage people to consider how things they would normally throw away have the potential for creative re-use.  Alongside making her own work she also offers a range of eco art workshops for schools, adults, children and families.

Visit Michelle's website

Myles Knight is a Nottingham born Singer/Songwriter, who has been described as a 'Quick Witted' and a 'Stellar' Songwriter with a 'Distinctive Tone'. Myles Knight, occasionally accompanied by his band, provides a fusion of Indie Rock vibes with Blues undertones.

With hundreds of gigs under his belt Myles is no stranger to the world of Music. With personal lyrics accompanied by catchy melodies, his song’s hit the hearts of many.

Visit Myles' Facebook page

Betty Rose Bakes is a small home baking business run by Sam Rose. Sam creates rustic handmade breads, cakes and sweet treats baked to orders  including gluten free, vegan and no refined sugar options. Betty Rose Bakes is passionate about great food using locally sourced ingredients, seasonal produce and organic flours, sugars, butters and milks.

Betty Rose Bakes will be serving delicious hot foods alongside cakes and treats!

Instagram: @bettyrosebakes

Facebook: @bettyrosebakes

I'm head of Living Landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. One of the projects I'm particularly proud of is the ground breaking project to vaccinate badgers in Derbyshire which is now the largest such project in England. I'm passionate about making our National Parks wilder.

I've worked across the planet for Greenpeace and other organisations  in my 30 year career in environment and nature conservation. Issues I've campaigned on include rainforest destruction in the Amazon and Indonesia, toxic pollution of our oceans and rivers and anti whaling campaigns.

I'm particularly excited about the developing Rewilding agenda. The ongoing destruction of the natural world and how we can turn this around motivates me every single day. Helping to connect people to wildlife is a passion. 

Few things are more amazing than planting tiny seeds with your own hands, watching the shoots and buds grow before your eyes. Sadly, many children miss this experience and do not understand where their food comes from. Today’s children often miss the freedom to roam around their natural environment. Edible Playgrounds give children the chance to enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer The Edible Playgrounds transform school grounds into vibrant outdoor teaching gardens that inspire hands-on learning and get children excited about growing and eating healthy food.

Dr Rob Lambert is an environment academic at the University of Nottingham, birder & naturalist, broadcaster and expedition ship lecturer. He is currently Vice-President of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Ambassador for Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust, having previously served as Vice-President of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. In 2012, he co-founded A Focus on Nature (AFON). Rob has worked as a contributor, talking head expert or script consultant on a number of television and radio documentaries, including: Britain’s Big Wildlife Revival; Birds Britannia; The Making of Scotland’s Landscape; When Britain went Wild; Why the British Love Wildlife; Torrey Canyon: toxic tide. Most importantly and nerve-rackingly, Rob was runner-up in ‘Wild Brain of Britain’ at Birdfair in 2011 & 2012! 

From plastic pollution to climate change, public consciousness about how we impact upon our environment is growing. Sarah’s aim is to empower people to make their move to a more sustainable way of living.

She runs a company called Join the Dots - sustainability made simple linking with community, businesses, educational establishments and individuals. Her current focus is on living a lower waste life and her most notable projects are SHOP ZERO - a zero waste store based in the Front Shop at the Malt Cross in Nottingham City Centre, and Nottingham Fixers - a voluntary group who run community Repair Cafes. 

Sarah is qualified to Masters and PhD level in environmental studies (with a particular interest in Ecology) and worked for a number of years in project management coordinating and delivering a range of sustainable development and health projects both at a corporate level and within communities. She is also a practising primary teacher.

Shop Zero

Layla & Beth are both EMEC ecologists who will be at the Wilder Woodland Gathering to chat to you, find out more about their roles and interests: 

‘I am a BSc Geography student at the University of Sheffield, currently on a year-long placement as an Assistant Ecology at EMEC. My role primarily involves helping consultant ecologists carry out a variety of protected species surveys, including daytime and evening bat surveys, great crested newt surveys, reptile surveys and preliminary ecological appraisals. When based in the office, I often write survey reports which are then sent out to clients to support planning applications for new developments. My role in the office also involves putting together quotations for clients, answering the telephone and dealing with customer enquiries. While in Sheffield, I am a member of a community gardening group called HERB (Helping Environmental Regeneration in Broomhall) who create and maintain green spaces in the inner-city area of Broomhall. I also volunteer with the River Stewardship Company, who maintain watercourses in Yorkshire by controlling invasive species, implementing flood risk measures and removing debris from the channel.'

'Like Layla, I am also working at EMEC this year as an assistant ecologist, on a placement year from Sheffield university. Like a true geographer, I’ll take any opportunity to grab some walking boots and a waterproof and get outdoors in nature! As a student in Sheffield I have volunteered on projects with the wildlife trust across South Yorkshire. I also help to run a Wellbeing Café which makes use of food waste whilst providing an affordable meal and support services to students. I’m interested in the variety of ways individuals and communities can play their part in tackling climate change.'

Nottingham Extinction Rebellion are an active local group, part of a growing international socio-political movement with the stated aim of using civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance to protest against climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse. On the day you are invited to bring along your clothes, bags and flags to block print with symbols and slogans, and talk to members of the group about how to make change happen.  

Visit their website

Facebook: @XRNottm

Instagram: @extinctionrebellionnottingham

Twitter: @XrNottingham

Alongside their nature table and displays, South Notts Local Group member Neil Glenn will be taking visitors on wildlife walks around Skylarks Nature Reserve sharing his knowledge of the area and his passion for protecting wildlife.

"In these times of ever more stressful lives, it is even more important to get out and about and experience nature. Nature has a scientifically proven benefit for mental health: if we protect nature, we protect ourselves. My passion is for birds but as long as people immerse themselves in their natural surroundings, be it birds, butterflies, flowers or insects, they are getting a powerful dose of ‘medicine’ for free. That is what is worth protecting!"

Michael Copleston soon joins the RSPB's England Leadership Team as Head of Land in September this year having been in the Midlands for the last decade, most recently as Regional Development and Reserves Manager , leading the reserves management across 14 counties and major projects in the Midlands like Sherwood Forest, and setting up the ‘nature after minerals’ reserve Langford Lowfields now home to confirmed bittern breeding for the first time in 2019. Michael has moved around the UK with the RSPB, from Islay and Loch of Strathbeg in Scotland down to the southern tip of Cornwall at the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Marazion Marsh back in 2003. Most recently Michael also supports international projects in Belarus, Poland and specifically in Shanghai on a wetland restoration combining conservation and tourism that is over 60,000ha in size – twice the size of the City of Birmingham!

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) is a Nottingham based charity supporting wildlife recording across the UK. Through the NBN Atlas has already shared over 223 million wildlife sightings, many of these records come from hundreds of volunteers committed to recording and protecting our precious wildlife.  

Giselle's role at the NBN is to help promote the work of the organisation, the value of recording wildlife and supporting wildlife recorders. She keen to help and support people who want to find out more about recording wildlife around them – whether that be on their doorstep, around town or exploring the countryside.

Aside from the day job Giselle is an active member of Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme, the Wildlife in the City Group (both connected to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust), Nottingham RSPB Local Group and also sits on Nottingham City’s Local Access Forum.

Paul is an enthusiastic, highly motivated professional with wide ranging experiences and particular interest in ecology, landscape ecology, Environmental Theology, Planning and Ecology and Community Conservation. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment.

Paul has worked for Rushcliffe Borough Council as Environmental Sustainability Officer since Jan 2003, to provide advice and support to the council and all Rushcliffe communities on environmental topics and to implement the council's work in developing thriving sustainable communities and reducing the council's environmental impact. This involves developing and implementing the Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy; the Trees across Rushcliffe project, developing and implementing the Rushcliffe Climate Change Strategy; providing direction and advice on sustainability issues to strategic partners; representing Rushcliffe on the Nottinghamshire Biological Records partnership and the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, which he also chairs.

Tom Huggon has been a member of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for many years and has had various roles within the organisation. He became a volunteer warden in 1972 and joined our council. He became chairman in 1995 and is now an Executive Vice President. 

Tom has also held positions as a Trustee for Nottingham Open Spaces Forum; President Nottingham Civic Society; Chairman Green`s Windmill Trust and Nottingham City Council Open and Green Spaces Champion.

"Our voice for wildlife is vital for its preservation and enhancement for its own sake and our well being. It should speak for itself and us, but voices are needed because those who love and value it often assume wrongly that its value is appreciated by all. Let us not forget those who don`t notice wildlife in their midst; those who notice and don`t care about it; and those who are destructive.

Wildlife should be top of everyone`s mundane agenda, wider perception and essential spirituality."

"I have always had a passion for wildlife and have worked for the Notts Wildlife Trust for over 10 years pursuing that passion. In the last two year have project managed our badger vaccination scheme over 83 square km’s of South Nottinghamshire and North Leicestershire. The project aims to work with landowners and vaccinate as many badgers as possible against bovine TB. The Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme (BEVS) is a 4 year part funded project through DEFRA."

Find out more

As a ‘roaming’ ranger for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust I get to work at a variety of amazing nature reserves across the south of the county. However, Skylarks really has a special place in my heart. From its vast wetland to its shady woods, and all the wildflower meadows in between, there really is something fabulous to see here all year round! Because of this it is a site where you can always learn something new and feel really inspired by nature, and for me that is really important. I am an ornithologist at heart, and am happiest with binoculars in hand, but I always appreciate the variety of species that can be found here. 

You'll find Laura and Jamie in the fox den zone at the Wilder Woodland Gathering with their fabulous Keeping it Wild team!

Laura

• BSC hons in Wildlife and Practical Conservation
• Forest School Practioner
• Passionate about Marine life and the reduction of single use plastic
• Having grown up surrounded by Nature and the value of it, It is one of the most important parts of my life and I want everyone to be able to have life changing experiences created by the natural world – So  I see it as my job to create the next generation of environmentally savvy young people that care deeply about our environment and not only what we can do for it but what is has the ability to do for us…

Jamie

• Arborist/ Ecological land management team leader
• Swift Water Rescue Technician
• Youth Worker
• Fire Fighter
• In all my walks of life I am passionate about helping young people become the best they can be! Giving them the opportunities to grow and flourish so they have the confidence to stand up and be heard especially when it comes to the environment and the future of our planet!

Adam leads the campaigning team at The Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. Before this he worked at The Wildlife Trusts as head of communications, after a music career that didn’t quite take off. An experienced communicator and campaigner he has written communication strategies, designed websites, run research projects and managed successful campaigns including starting the Wildlife Trusts 30 Days Wild campaign. He can usually be found rambling around local wild places close to home in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, often with his children. Adam is a trustee of the Wildlife Gardening Forum – a small charity that promotes wildlife friendly gardening. Also fond of wildflowers, cycling and running.

I’m passionate for a wilder future for Nottinghamshire because our lovely county needs more wildlife and wild places for our wildlife to live in. The work Notts Wildlife Trust do protecting our last remaining scraps of wildlife-rich land and working to reconnect these is critically important and needs all of our support.

@AdamCormack_

"My appreciation for nature has only grown with time. A good ecologist knows that there is still a great deal we don’t understand about nature, meaning much wonder remains. Additionally, the scientific explanations behind natural phenomenon are often just as magical, if not more so, than anything you could imagine.

Like many naturalists, I quickly learned of the threats facing our planet and wanted to help. One of the most important ways I could see of doing that was by connecting the next generation with nature in order to foster an appreciation which is currently dangerously lacking. Everything we do now is pointless unless the future custodians of our planet are educated.

This in mind, I now work as Engagement Officer with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. I spend my days sharing my wildlife knowledge with people of all ages, from 4-year-old’s birthday parties to university students conducting ecology fieldwork. My work aims to help people see nature’s beauty and wonder but also its importance.

I am part of a small team which engaged around 4000 people with nature in our first year; with the aim of building on this.

My particular passions include freshwater ecology, ecosystem services and rewilding."

Circus Hub offers play interaction using different circus skills manipulation toys in order to build confidence and learn new skills. Any one can have a go at plate spinning, hula hooping, poi, diablo etc and most are accessible for all. This is a great opportunity to build engagement in a new activity and the resilience of trying out something new that you may not be able to perfect straight away, but with practice you can build brilliant skills and even learn different tricks with each different piece of equipment. Circus is also a great activity to do outdoors and we love being outside in the open air where there is plenty of space!

They will be offering circus free play where you can pick up any circus toy and have a go! There is a wide variety of equipment we will help you play with and show you how to use, there is something for everyone. - Drop in free play will be available throughout the event duration 1-7pm

I’ve been involved in nature recording and conservation in Nottinghamshire for nearly 30 years and for the last seven years I’ve worked in the reserves management team at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.  My first official recording role was as the county butterfly recorder but over the last 20 years my main focus has been mammals.  Bats are an obsession and I’ve been a very active member, and past chair, of the Nottinghamshire Bat Group and for the last five years I’ve been collating records as the county mammal recorder.  Most weekends will find me in a woodland either checking bat boxes or helping to monitor the rare hazel dormouse.  My interest in ancient woodlands, in both their history and management, has developed over the last few years and it has been the habitat that I’m most drawn to at any time of the year.  I can think of no better way to de-stress, unwind and generally escape from the hectic modern world than to take an early morning walk through an ancient woodland in the spring or early summer.  If there are also some bat or dormouse boxes to check then all the better!

@nottsbatman @nottsmammals

"Having worked with children, young people, families and communities in various capacities over the last twenty years, engaging others lies at the heart of what I do.

My experience as a class teacher in a mainstream inner-city school and a pupil referral unit enabled me to gain a vital understanding of the various needs in educational settings. As a youth worker for a mental health project and education officer for a youth offending team, I have witnessed the difference inclusion and understanding can make.

As Senior Engagement Officer with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, I deliver activities to participants of all ages, build relationships with families and organisations alike and I endeavour to encourage new audiences.

My role enables me to combine my passion for people and wildlife. Having been lucky enough to grow up in Derbyshire, I have always been close to nature and I feel privileged to now be in a position where I can influence and inspire others to be active, get outdoors, feel included, learn about the world around them and have fun!"

Our host for the event will be Dean Jackson, regular presenter of The Beat (@beatonthebeeb) and BBC Introducing East Midlands (@BBCIntroEmids).

Dean is a long-term advocate of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and has interviewed many members of staff and volunteers down the years. With his passion for new music and the arts and his support for our work we thought he’d make an ideal host for an event that brings together people from across many sectors to celebrate wildlife and forge new partnerships for action.

Follow Dean on twitter  (@deanjacksonDJ) You can also listen to his very own mix tape of new music from across our region – recently prepared for BBC 6 Music

Listen