Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is inviting Derby residents to a full day of free activities on Saturday 8 October at the Museum of Making, designed to get people involved in growing a vision for a greener, wilder Derby.
Between 10.30am and 4.00pm, staff and volunteers from the Trust will be joined by special guest speakers and artists to deliver a host of immersive activities designed to give insight about the future vision of a wilder Derby and how everyone can be involved - From face painting, fancy dress competitions, treasure trails and craft activities that will help people see the city grow green; to guided urban nature trails, stalls from local groups and free minibus rides to Allestree park to walk and learn about rewilding plans.
Jason Williams, aka The Cloud Gardener will be sharing his journey from one marigold plant to debuting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a Silver Gilt medal. Just days before lockdown in March 2020, Jason moved into a new apartment on the 18th floor of a building in the centre of Manchester and his balcony quickly became his escape. He took up gardening for the first time and turned his balcony into a mini paradise. Since then, he has launched his own YouTube channel and has inspired a new generation of urban gardeners to maximise their unique growing spaces
Rhiane Fatinikun founded Black Girls Hike in 2019 to provide a safe space for Black women to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature. She will be at the event speaking about how this inspiring walking group has grown to host nationwide group hikes, outdoor activity days and training events.
The National Grid have kindly given permission for Urban artist Fauna Graphic to create a giant Peregrine Falcon on the wall next to the museum to celebrate the peregrines who nest in the nearby Derby Cathedral.
Spiral Arts, a visual arts group based in Derby Arboretum Park will be working with the community at the event to create a giant 5ft hedgehog sculpture using wire and tissue paper and teaching people how to make their own mini sculpture to take home.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Team Wilder will also be at the event asking people to take actions for nature by planting seeds or growing their own grub! There’s even a chance to win a prize in the ‘Go Potty’ competition. An old wheelbarrow, a tyre, a teapot, an old pair of boots, or just about anything can be turned into a plant pot and Team Wilder are asking people to get creative with their planters.
Dr Jo Smith, CEO of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said:
“We are so excited to be bringing people together from across Derby to have a day of free fun at our event and input into our vision for a wilder Derby.
“If you know where to look in our city, wildlife is all around us, from ‘bee bus stops’ planted with native wildflowers and sedum plants, to peregrines nesting in our cathedral, but imagine what could happen if we let nature free to recover and thrive across Derby to create a city that is alive and growing.
“It going to be a really exciting day with lots happening for everyone to get involved with and have their say on a greener, wilder Derby.”
The Wild About Derby event will end with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s 60th Annual General Meeting.
Find out more about the Wild About Derby event at the Museum of Making and book a place here.