Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has hailed the family legacy that has helped shape and put a vital community nature site on the map following the success of a recent Family Nature Day (Sunday 27^th June) hosted by the Friends of Woodlands and Coachwood Green. 

In 2024, the volunteer group which cares for the Nottinghamshire County Council owned site, next to Shireoaks Marina, were the recipients a Wilder Community Award as part of the Trust’s Wilder Nottinghamshire Awards. A chance conversation during the presentation of the group’s Award certificate, about how the Trust might be able to support efforts to raise awareness of the site, sparked an idea for what evolved into the successful Family Nature Day that followed. 

After the presentation the Trust’s Wilder Nottinghamshire Officer Harri Phillips, based at the charity’s Idle Valley Nature Reserve near Retford, reached out to the group’s Chair Katherine Palmer to explore opportunities for collaboration.  Growing out of events run in previous years, plans for a community focused day designed to encourage more local residents to visit and explore the site soon took shape – backed by volunteers from a range of groups including Nottinghamshire Bat Group, British Dragonfly Society, Kindful and Wild, Chesterfield Canal Trust, Nottinghamshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, and Lound Bird Club.

Speaking after the event Harri said: “The more I worked with Katharine, and learned about her journey with the group, the more inspired I became. The group was originally founded by her father, whose dedication and hard work laid the foundation for what the group has become today. Determined not to let his legacy fade, Katharine has stepped into a leading role, keeping the community group thriving.”

“Katharine brought in several other nature-based community groups—many of whom are already members of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network. It was exciting to see the event take shape, with more groups getting involved. What started as a local event to promote a green space became so much more—a celebration of connection, care, and shared purpose -  a reminder that when people come together around nature, they often find community, joy, and inspiration far beyond what they expected.”

Whilst the weather on event day was slightly wet and overcast, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. With strong footfall and great engagement, the event was a real success. Families enjoyed a range of nature-based activities and discovering more about the site and its mission on what proved to be a celebration of connection, care, and shared purpose. 

Credit for all photos: Friends of Woodland and Coachwood Green