Exmoor Festival of Nature

Seven Fables will be at Nettlecombe Court for The Exmoor Society's first ever Exmoor Festival of Nature...

The Exmoor Society's aim is to create an exhilarating day for all ages, with free nature activities – stalls and screenings, food and drink, music, art and amazing talks by some of Britain’s best known environmentalists. A celebration of everything that makes Exmoor so special – its glorious oak woodlands, tumbling rivers, vast moorland and dramatic coastline.

There will be something for everyone with a host of exciting national and local organisations on site to inspire visitors with the marvels of the natural world. 

The event is FREE but pre-booking is recommended via The Exmoor Society's Facebook Page - Their website is currently being revamped!

Come and meet – Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Devon Wildlife Trust, Down to Zero, Exmoor National Park, Exmoor Natural History Society, Exmoor Rivers and Streams Group, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Geckoella, Horner Farm, National Trust, Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme, Sea Watch Foundation, Somerset Rare Plants Group, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Watchet Hedgehogs, West Somerset Wildways, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Wivey Grows and the Woodland Play Centre.

As well as hands on and interactive activities from our exhibitors there will also be a jam- packed line up of interesting talks happening throughout the day, workshops to take part in and fantastic music and entertainment from artists, musicians, and performers to enjoy.

Speakers on the day include - 

Nick Bruce White - Is There Room for a Wilder Exmoor? Nick will discuss the current state of nature on Exmoor and ask whether there is scope – amongst the many other pressures on our National Parks – for a wilder Exmoor, where nature and natural processes can recover alongside a thriving human population.

Dieter Helm – Is a sustainable economy possible? In this talk, Professor Dieter Helm, economist and an expert in environmental matters, will explore the ideas covered in his new book Legacy: How to build the sustainable economy The session will include a Q&A.

Toby Diggens - Toby will talk through the marvels of the River Exe and its source on Exmoor. From the wonderful riverside wildlife to the salmon which swim all the way from Greenland to spawn in its clear waters, this presentation will navigate the Exe and its habitats and showcase how everyone can have a positive impact in helping the river.

Emily Cunningham - Marine biologist and award-winning ocean conservationist, Emily has over a decade of experience at the forefront of ocean protection; both in the UK and overseas, from Ascension Island to Antarctica. She has been named a Global 30 under 30 Environmental Leader and recently won a UK Women of the Future Award. Emily is currently writing her first book, which explores how we can all play our part in ocean conservation.

Holly Purdey - The Ecological role of farmland Farmland can and should play a key role in the restoration of biodiversity while mitigating against climate change. Our Food production model needs to recognise reintegration of nature is essential, not just as a token but it's very survival depends on a shift in practices. In this talk Holly will discuss the changes that she has brought to their tenant farm, looking at both the challenges and success stories so far.

Dr Tracey Hamston - Could Pine martens bounce back in the South West? Pine martens have been missing from Devon’s woodlands for the past 150 years, but now they could be making a comeback. Dr Tracey Hamston, the project lead for the Two Moors Pine Marten Project, which looks to restore healthy populations of pine martens to the South West of England, will be discussing why pine martens are important to our woodlands and will update us on the project and it’s next steps.

Peter Hoyland - How we can achieve a Plastic Free Exmoor Peter Hoyland is the volunteer Community Lead for Plastic Free Exmoor and in 2022 he led the work that saw Exmoor become the first National Park in the United Kingdom to gain the charity Surfers Against Sewage’s, Plastic Free Community status. In his talk, Peter will consider the impact of single-use plastics on wildlife and the environment. He will also provide an overview of the steps that Plastic Free Exmoor has taken over the past three years to raise awareness of this issue and to encourage individuals, community groups and businesses to “turn the tide on single use plastic”.

PARKING

The Exmoor Society encourages you to walk or cycle to the festival, but when that can’t be done, please fill every seat in your car and park at Combe Sydenham - TA4 4JG, where shuttle buses will whisk you to and from the festival all day long!

Seven Fables looks forward to seeing you there, do come along and say 'Hello!'

For more information email - frankie.wright@exmoorsociety.com

www.exmoorsociety.com