Nottingham for Nature campaign 2017/2018
Thursday 11th January
Since Autumn 2017 Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts youth team‘Keeping it Wild’ have been working with conservation professionals and artists to investigate the state of nature in Nottingham and create a creative campaign to raise awareness about conservation and influence political decision makers.
This unique and very important project gives young people a voice and a platform to raise awareness and ask important questions about the 'state of nature' in Nottingham covering themes about the worrying trend of disconnection people have with the natural world, what is the value of nature in Nottingham, as well as developing innovative ideas to help protect and how to grow a thriving wildlife landscape within an urban city. From a need for clean fresh air to breathe to the need to connect with wildlife, from the potential opportunities, nature tourism and wild meadows in our city centres, this project aims to put a spotlight on issues and through creative outcomes, command attention and raise the debate in positive and inspiring ways.
Young people have participated in a range of investigative workshops and consulted with decision makers and professionals. The project has facilitated activities across secondary schools, with Nottingham Youth Council and Youth Cabinet and raised the nature debated with over 150 children during Primary Parliament.
Trish Evans, Audience Development Manager at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust stated, “The impact of the Nottingham for nature campaign is very positive for the health of our natural environment in Nottingham and importantly the health of our communities and future generations in Nottingham too. Young people have an undeniable energy and a voice which is already putting the spotlight on what are very important issues, and through their creative work, they are undoubtedly drawing attention and getting our campaign noticed!”
The Nottingham for Nature campaign is being launched on 16th January 2018, with art work displayed on advertising platforms and billboards across the city. Young people have worked with creative writing professionals and visual artists and produced twelve key statements and leading into spring 2018 aim to launch their Nottingham for Nature MANIFESTO.
On 25th January 2018, with an audience of 150 teenagers, young people and professionals and a panel of decision makers, campaigners and leaders, the Nottingham for Nature question time taking place at The Ball Room in Nottingham, hopes to further extend the debate and grow a new influential youth movement of young people across Greater Nottingham who will be champions of nature in our city now and in the future.
Nottingham for Nature aims to be a campaign to stand the test of time!
Collaborators and artists include:
Aly Stoneman, wordsmith and literature editor, Left Lion
Georgina Wilding, Nottingham’s young Laureate, UNESCO city of Literature
Emma Pass, creative writer
Julian Hughes, photographer
Dizzy Ink,printers and visual artists
Will Carman, film maker
Mark Avery, environmental campaigner, blogger, author and writer.
Mike Dilger– Wildlife presenter on The BBC’s One Show and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Vice Prdesident
Ellis GuildfordSchool
Partners include:
Nottingham City Council (Civic office, Youth Council, Youth Cabinet, Public health, Nottingham Castle, Parks and Open Spaces, Sustainability)
Follow our blog to keep up to date on activity as well as the Wildlife In The City website.
On social media, like the youth work on Facebook ‘Willow Fox’ and Instagram following the hashtag #nottinghamfornature.
Then keep in touch by joining The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust supporters e-newsletter too for all things wildlife across Nottinghamshire.
