Springwatch Festival at Stanmer Park
Friday 4th June 2010
Brighton’s Springwatch Festival 2010 is even bigger and better than last year. Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is delighted to be working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) organising the Festival in Stanmer Park and plan some exciting hands-on nature based activities to appeal to all ages.
Now in its fifth year, the Springwatch Festival brings together wildlife experts, organisations, friends groups and nature lovers from all over the county. Attended by over 10,000 people each year, it will take place on Sunday 6 June (10:00-17:00) and entry is free of charge.
The Festival will showcase four wild zones giving visitors the chance to learn more about the wildlife that lives in the city, on the downs and in woodland, as well as the huge variety of marine creatures that live in our rivers, on the shoreline or under the waves. A special area will be devoted to encouraging people to turn their own back gardens or green spaces into wildlife havens to help birds, small mammals, plants, insects and amphibians adapt to the pressures of climate change.
To coincide with United Nations International Year of Biodiversity there’s an opportunity to take part in ‘Bioblitz’ co-ordinated by SWT and the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre (SxBRC).
‘Bioblitz’ challenges both biodiversity experts and Springwatch visitors to see how many different wildlife species can be identified and counted in Stanmer Park during the course of the Festival.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, BHCC's Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust on what will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of our Big Nature campaign, which marks the International Year of Biodiversity.
“The Springwatch Festival is a fantastic opportunity to find out all about the wide range of wildlife found in and around Brighton & Hove and brings together the council's own Cityparks team, wildlife experts and community groups from across Sussex.”
As well as the many different wildlife activities on offer, local produce will also be available as well as local entertainment.
There is a £5 parking charge and visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transport. There will be additional bus services available from Brighton and Falmer train station is a 15 minute walk. Cyclists are also encouraged and free cycle parking will be available.
For more information please contact:
Frances Chambers
Cityparks Ranger Manager, Brighton & Hove City Council, Stanmer Nursery, Stanmer Park, Lewes Road, Brighton BN1 9SE 01273 294596
Story by Sussex Wildlife Trust