The Festival of Nature is the UK's largest free celebration of the natural world, taking place every June across the West of England region.
They are seeking local community groups who would like to put on events between 6 and 15 June to celebrate the actions communities are taking for nature. These would be promoted as part of the Festival of Nature programme.
To be part of the Community Event programme, organisations simply need to organise an activity or event that their community can take part in on any day between the 6 and 14 June. The group could organise anything: a litter pick, a wildflower planting session, nature talk or walk, building bird boxes or anything in-between! There’s no idea too big or small.
They offer up to £100 for community groups to put on events (this funding is subject to availability and is not guaranteed). The deadline for submissions is Monday 2 March at 9am.
There are 2 half hour webinars to provide more information, or groups can also arrange a call directly with a member of the NHC team to talk about the opportunity or help develop an idea - this contact info is on the website.
Webinar times: 3 February at 6pm and 17 February at 10am. Sign up here
Why take part?
- Funding – up to £100 for community groups to put on events (this funding is subject to availability and is not guaranteed)
- Support and resources – Avon Wildlife Trust and Festival of Nature team are on hand to provide resources and support for your event
- Marketing support – Festival of Nature will market your event and provide you with marketing materials to help you promote it beyond your usual audience.
- Increase engagement – over 50% of people who attended last year’s festival Community events had not previously heard of the Community group who had organised the event.
- Connect with other local groups – NHC will be offering a series of webinars to help you connect with other groups in the area. You will also be invited to the Festival of Nature party on 11 June and have the opportunity to become part of Team Wilder (run by Avon Wildlife Trust) after the festival.
- Be part of something bigger – the Festival of Nature attracts over 20,000 visitors annually and is the UK’s biggest free celebration of the natural world.
To submit event proposals, please fill in this short form by Monday 2 March at 9am and someone from the Festival of Nature team will be in touch by 13 March.