Third North Pennines NatureFest programme launches

• A programme of nature-themed events across the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark
• Coincides with European Geoparks Week celebrating Earth heritage and geology
• Events include family-friendly activities, volunteer opportunities, guided walks and an art exhibition.

The programme has been launched for the third North Pennines NatureFest, a celebration of the outstanding nature, wildlife, plants, and rocks found in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

North Pennines NatureFest is running from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 7 June, which includes the May half term holiday.

There is a packed programme of fun and informative events spread across the two weeks, with activities for more experienced nature enthusiasts alongside events aimed at children and families. Events include a Nature Camp, themed walks, volunteer days, and hands-on activities for children.

At the National Landscape’s Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale, there will be an exhibition for NatureFest. ‘Adder’ will showcase the North Pennines team’s work to celebrate and protect the vulnerable native adder, bringing together a wide variety of creative work from local artists, writers, filmmakers, communities and schools. ‘Adder’ will run from the start of the festival right through to the end of June and is open daily.

On the first Saturday (23 May) of NatureFest the Weardale Wildlife Group is running a guided botany walk along the River Tees from Low to High Force. Join local experts on this botanical adventure to see upland hay meadow flowers and Teesdale specialities, as well as a variety of insects and birds.

Join the North Pennines National Landscape team for a family-friendly BioBlitz at Housty Farm in the East Allen Valley, near Allendale on Tuesday 26 May. Nature experts will be on hand to help you to spot, identify and record whatever you find on the farm. Whether you are a complete beginner or a budding naturalist, all you need is curiosity and a sense of adventure.

In the middle weekend (Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May) there will be a Nature Camp at Low Way Farm in Holwick, Teesdale. This event is aimed at families with children (aged 5+). There is a choice of camping or staying in the bunkhouse. After a welcome on the Saturday there will be various nature-based activities – including river dipping, bat detecting, moth trapping, arts and crafts, bird song and wildflower meadow walks, wildlife spotting, a nature cinema and communal campfire.

The North Pennines NatureFest also coincides with European Geoparks Week. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, the North Pennines team will be joining other Geoparks across Europe including the nine other UK Geoparks, to celebrate geology and Earth heritage.

Geo Day at Nenthead Mines, run by the Nenthead Mines Conservation Society, will be held on Sunday 24 May. On Saturday 30 May join Carole McCourt for May’s Saturday stroll. These regular short strolls are all about discovering what has shaped the landscape and the area’s mining heritage. This walk, from Allenheads in Northumberland, will delve into the world of lead-loving plants. A geology-themed Wild Wednesday during the half-term holiday is an opportunity for children and their families to explore the different rocks around Bowlees Visitor Centre.

Visit the High Helbeck estate near Brough for a guided walk to discover how recent work has helped nature recover and thrive. This moderate (5km) walk, over uneven and steep terrain, will take in waterfalls, wading birds and black grouse in an ever-changing mosaic of habitats being managed sustainably (3 June).

Join RSPB reserve staff on 4 June for a themed ‘wildlife, history and farming’ guided walk at their Cumbrian Geltsdale reserve, in the northwestern corner of the North Pennines. They will be looking at management for breeding wading birds, black grouse, the ‘re-wiggling’ of Howgill Beck and the Bruthwaite Forest native woodland planting project.

Volunteers play an important role in helping to look after the North Pennines National Landscape. During NatureFest new and existing volunteers can help support nature at the Bowlees Tree Nursery and in the visitor centre garden. There are also opportunities to take part in training to support botanical surveys, moth trapping, and adder surveys.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines National Landscape, said: “We’re really pleased to be running North Pennines NatureFest again. The festival is all about shining a light on how special the nature and landscape is in the North Pennines, and the farmers, land managers, gamekeepers and others who help to sustain them. We have some charismatic wildlife here, in stunning locations, and we hope people come along and enjoy it in the company of some expert guides.”

Discover the full programme at www.NorthPenninesNatureFest.org.uk and look out for NatureFest features on the North Pennines National Landscape team’s social media channels. Booking is required for most events.

For further information, contact the North Pennines National Landscape communications team – communications@northpennines.org.uk / 01388 528801 / Sarah Hudspeth 07768 123247