Wilder 2025 - Together for Nature

Doors open at 10.30am 

Welcome and housekeeping

We are looking forward to presentations from: 

- Drayton Wildlife Group
- Recorders of the Avalon Marshes
- Wilder Enmore and Goathurst 
- Quantock Landscape Partnership

• - Long Sutton
• - Ansford Academy 
  - Seed of Hope 
  - Ponds Alive!

- Westbury Tree Nursery 
 

The open space session is an opportunity to chat, learn more and explore some project displays. New for this year we'll have some hands on activities to take part in during the open space session. 

A quiet space will be available throughout the day. 

Displays and activities - more info coming soon! Let us know if you'd like to contribute. 

Light vegetarian lunch served, included in your ticket.

Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.

Workshops and site visits are bookable on arrival only, please see options below.

Our closing session will round up of the day. 

We expect to finish by 3.30pm.

Led by Steve Mewes, Local Nature Partnership Coordinator and Advocacy Manager, as well as Chair of Green Wedmore and the Somerset Climate Action Network. 

This session is a condensed version of our Act to Adapt process. You'll explore the Act to Adapt Toolkit and gain an understanding of how to apply it in your local area to adapt to a changing climate. 

Led by Becky Fisher, Head of Engagement at Somerset Wildlife Trust, MSc Behaviour Change (Environment and Conservation).

This workshop will explore the science of people, why we behaviour the way we do and how an understanding of behavioural science can help us to create positive change for nature. If you've ever sighed in exasperation at a pile of dog poo on a nature reserve, or wondered why some events attract a big audience and others don't then this workshop is for you! 

This walk will take place whatever the weather, unless conditions are unsafe. Please ensure you come prepared with weather proof clothing and outdoor footwear.

Walking from site this visit will explore and explain Nature-based Solutions in action. 

“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” - Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.

Perhaps this resonates with you, or perhaps “love” is not the word you’d use? In this guided hour workshop, we will explore our relationship with the more-than-human world. We will create collages and poetry, connecting with fellow Wilder Together guests through shared exploration.  

By the end of the workshop, we will feel empowered to describe our nature connection journeys: why we feel compelled to care for and spend time with landscapes and wildlife, what we have discovered and gained through these experiences, and how we develop our relationship with nature as we move forward from today.  

No experience is needed for this workshop and there will be no pressure to share anything you create. There will be ways of choosing and adapting activities to suit you, but if there is anything that Beth can do to support your participation in this workshop, please feel free to email her in advance: beth@thepoetrymachine.live

Hosted by Beth Calverley

Beth Calverley is a poet, creative guide, and founder of The Poetry Machine. Beth travels to places of work, care, learning and play – from hospitals to high streets, wedding venues to heritage sites, schools to universities, ponds to beaches, meadows to woodlands – performing, facilitating and co-creating poetry. She brings nature connection activities into her work as Poet in Residence at University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust and has led nature connection workshops, walks and experiences in collaboration with the Somerset & Devon Wildlife Trusts, Mendip Hills National Landscape, Super Culture, and National Trust places such as Tyntesfield, Stourhead, and Baddesley Clinton. Nature had been there for Beth throughout her life until it finally dawned on her to be there for nature in return, bringing nature connection and action to the heart of her poetry, facilitation and volunteering work.

www.thepoetrymachine.live  

Zoe from Ostara will lead a mindful outdoor nature connection session. Zoe aims to create a space that helps people to experience wellness and a new sense of life through connecting with the natural world.

Zoe has a BSc in Psychology, Counselling Levels 2&3, is a qualified Nature Connection Specialist and Forest Therapy Practitioner. 

If you hope to take part in this workshop please ensure you bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. 

During this outdoor session you'll explore a variety of different techniques used for surveying and monitoring wildlife. 

Please be aware speaker slots are now full for 2025. We still have limited space for displays and activities. 

Get in touch and tell us about your project: teamwilder@somersetwildlife.org

The focus of this event is local nature conservation and recovery, wildlife recording, wildlife gardening and nature-based solutions. Please be aware we do not focus on wider environmental issues (e.g. energy, transport and waste), projects outside of Somerset or animal rescue or welfare. 

Speaker slots are strictly 5-7 minutes. You can deliver this as a standard presentation, we'd recommend no more than 10 image based slides or you can try Pecha Kucha style (20 slides of images 20 seconds each (total of 6 minutes and 4 seconds)).

If you'd prefer to bring a display or run an activity, let us know!

We welcome attendance on behalf of a councils, larger NGO and the business community however please be aware that speaker and display slots are prioritised for community-led projects.

This is a fully catered venue, refreshments and lunch are included. Please do not bring your own food unless medically necessary. Please let us know during booking if you have any dietary requirements.

This event is suitable for adults and young people aged 12+ only. We cannot accommodate younger children. Nursing mums and babes-in-arms welcome, changing facilities are available.

The venue is wheelchair accessible and guide dogs are welcome.

3 disabled parking spaces are available. 

A hearing loop is available.

A quiet space will be available throughout the day. 

Please get in touch if you have any additional requirements that would enable you to attend and enjoy the day. 

This is a live in-person forum, we will not be broadcasting online. This is an annual event taking place in a different part of the county each year.

The Red Brick building is on the main road (A361) between Glastonbury and Street. Postcode is BA6 9FT. 

• on foot – A 20 minute walk from the centres of Glastonbury and Street. There is plenty of parking available at Clarks Village charged at £5.50 for 9 hours.
• by bike – There is a cycle rack on site.
• by bus – Route 376 passes and the stop is on the main road close to the building
• by car – There is very limited free on-site parking. Number plates must be validated in the building to avoid a fine. Most spaces are likely to be in use by staff and speakers, so please have an alternative planned on the day.