Wildlife-lovers wing their way to Birdfair
Monday 12th August 2013
A feast for the senses is on the menu for visitors to the 25th Birdfair this year at Rutland Water Nature Reserve (Fri 16 - Sun18 Aug).
Visitors to The Wildlife Trusts’ stand (marquee three) are invited to experience the sights, sounds and smells of nature, by literally immersing themselves in some of the wildlife-rich habitats the UK has to offer.
Families can follow a sensory trail and start a journey of discovery around the UK’s best known habitats. Learn more about the importance of nature and its true value. Discover how The Wildlife Trusts are working to protect it, so future generations can continue to reap the benefits.
There's a special offer for The Wildlife Trusts’ and RSPB members on Sunday (£12.50 on the gate, £10 online).
Staff and volunteers will be on hand as a source of inspiration and to share some of the experiences to be had with The Wildlife Trusts. Families are encouraged to come along and join in the fun at the stand (marquee three, stands 41-44) to find out more.
Environmentalist and author Tony Juniper will join The Wildlife Trusts (at 2pm on Friday) to delve deeper into the value of nature and to sign copies of his most recent book, What Has Nature Ever Done For Us. It outlines evidence which proves how nature is vital to the economy and how, if we look after nature, we can also look after the economic prospects for people in the future.
Wildlife film-maker and The Wildlife Trusts’ President, Simon King, will too be exploring nature on The Wildlife Trusts stand at 11am on Saturday. Simon said: “Birdfair is a celebration of the wonderfully varied wildlife we have in the UK and overseas. It’s a great opportunity to inspire people to find more to enjoy, more to learn and more to value.
“Everyone remembers childhood trips to the woods, the river, the coast, peering into rockpools and picking up seashells. Millions of people visit The Wildlife Trusts’ nature reserves each year which encompass every kind of habitat. These richly varied places support thousands of plants and animals. We want to build on that innate enthusiasm and remind people how important it is to protect these places for years to come.”
The Wildlife Trusts own and manage 94,000 hectares some of the greatest habitats the UK has to offer, including woods, meadows, heaths, moors, mountains and downland, rivers and wetland and the coast. All are treasured elements of our natural heritage - places to visit and enjoy which also deliver real social and economic benefits. By creating Living Landscapes and securing Living Seas The Wildlife Trusts play a vital role in keeping our environment healthy for the benefit of nature and people.
Tony Juniper said: “You cannot put a price on hearing the songbird sing or seeing the spectacle of a wildflower meadow in full bloom. However, there are things that nature does, such as the way wetlands can reduce flooding, or the pollination of crops by bees that have an economic value.”
Reasons to visit The Wildlife Trusts’ stand include:
• Meet author and environmentalist Tony Juniper (Fri, 2pm)
• Meet wildlife film-maker Simon King (Sat, 11am)
• A sensory trail: explore some of the best habitats across the UK
• Discover how to create your own mini nature reserves at home
• Books to buy at special Birdfair prices
• Learn how The Wildlife Trusts are caring for places for future generations
• Celebrate more than 2,000 places to visit and explore all year round
• Opportunities to help The Wildlife Trusts’ work and achieve their vision for A Living Landscape and Living Seas
Birdfair – the international wildlife event of the year - takes place on Fri 16 Aug – Sun 18 Aug at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, 9am-5.30pm. It is jointly organised by Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. Birdfair has something for everyone, with hundreds of stands offering the latest products from binoculars to books to bird food, clothing to country crafts, and much more.
On the gate, daily tickets cost £15 for adults (16 or over) and children go free. Three day tickets cost £35. You can also buy tickets online (£12.50 for one day tickets, £30 for three days). There’s a special offer for The Wildlife Trusts’ and RSPB members on Sunday (£12.50 on the gate, £10 online). After entry, all entertainment is free, including lectures, quizzes and games hosted by TV celebrities and workshops.
Anyone can show their support for The Wildlife Trusts’ vision for A Living Landscape and Living Seas by joining or donating to the range of projects being delivered in every part of the UK. Visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/join.
Editors' notes:
• Full details of all the exhibitors attending and the varied programme of events are on the Birdfair website www.birdfair.org.uk or by contacting the office on 01572 771 079 or info@birdfair.org.uk
• 100% of the entrance fee goes towards BirdLife’s conservation efforts. BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organisations working in more than 100 countries who, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life.
• Tony Juniper www.tonyjuniper.com is a campaigner, writer, sustainability adviser and a well-known British environmentalist. For more than 25 years he has worked for change toward a more sustainable society at local, national and international levels. In Nov 2009, Tony Juniper was the first person to receive The Charles Rothschild and Miriam Rothschild medal, The Wildlife Trusts’ unique and prestigious award, created in honour of conservation pioneer, Charles Rothschild, and his daughter, Miriam. Tony was appointed as trustee for The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants in 2009. His most recent book What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? How Money Does Really Grow on Trees is published by Profile books, price £9.99 paperback. For more, please contact Ruth Killick on 0207 841 6307 / 07880703741 ruth.killick@profilebooks.co.uk
• To mark Birdfair's 25th anniversary, Simon King is hosting a new and unique marquee which will share how to care for and make the most out of wildlife encounters at home or further afield. Simon will be presenting workshops and talks throughout Birdfair weekend from a custom-built presentation area, with a selection of wildlife care products and gifts available. He will also be accepting a donation from Zeiss UK, raised from the sale of the ‘Simon King Special Edition Binoculars’, at The Wildlife Trusts’ stand at 11am on Saturday.
• The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) www.wildlifetrusts.org There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. With more than 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch. We manage around 2,300 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
• A Living Landscape - This report maps the way forward in countering climate change and restoring the UK’s battered ecosystems, for both wildlife and people; from inner cities to rural communities. To download the report, click here A Living Landscape
• Living Seas - The Wildlife Trusts have been campaigning for many years for comprehensive legislation to achieve better protection for marine wildlife and effective management of our seas. For more information, click here Living Seas
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