Three Hagges Woodmeadow To Host First-Ever Yorkshire Nature Fair

The pioneering Woodmeadow Trust has teamed up with the Yorkshire branch of Butterfly Conservation to launch the very first Yorkshire Nature Fair.

The Yorkshire Nature Fair, which is being kindly supported by Galliford Try Environment and Drax, will be held at Three Hagges Woodmeadow, on Sunday July 3 from 10.00am to 3.00pm and entry is free.The woodmeadow is situated just south of Escrick by the A19 between York and Selby.

The Fair will be full of exciting opportunities for all ages to see and learn about butterflies, moths, bees, dragonflies, snakes, lizards, pondlife, woodmeadow creation and growing native wildflowers with expert naturalists from at least 17 different nature organisations, who are setting out their stalls in the beautiful surroundings of Three Hagges Woodmeadow.

There will also be the opportunity to listen to some of the UK’s leading naturalists, including Professor Sir John Lawton CBE who will be opening the event at 10.30am.

Rosalind Forbes Adam, founder of the Woodmeadow Trust, said: “We are tremendously excited to be hosting this event and to be working in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation. We hope this inaugural event will be the first of many.”

“As well as a superb line-up of speakers and wildlife safaris, we will have face painting, storytelling, treasure hunts and bug hunting. There will also delicious food from Devon's Kitchen as well as a pop-up café serving tea, coffee and cake. Parking is also free. This is very much an event for all the family and we would encourage everyone who enjoys anything to do with the natural world to come along.”

Dr Martin Partridge, Chair of the Yorkshire branch of Butterfly Conservation, said:“We are really excited to be working alongside the Woodmeadow Trust to deliver the first Yorkshire Nature Fair. The line-up of speakers and events will really showcase a wide variety of organisations all concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats in Yorkshire and beyond.”

Rob Smith, Strategic Development Director for Galliford Try Environment, commented: "In all our projects we go to great lengths to preserve natural habitats and protect local wildlife as part of our activities. We are therefore delighted to be able to support the Woodmeadow Trust and help them spread the message of how important local ecosystems are to our environment in what we are sure will be a fun day out for all."

These organisations include St Nicks, Project Wild CIC, British Dragonfly Society, Yorkshire Mammal Group, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, PLACE, North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre, Yorkshire Naturalists Union, Tophill Low Nature Reserve, Lower Ure Conservation Trust, Woodland Trust, RSPB, Yorkshire Rewilding Network, Butterfly Conservation and Woodmeadow Trust.

There is an interactive storytelling session with Mud Pie Arts for children aged 4 plus, pre-bookable through the Woodmeadow Trust website.

There is also the chance to go wildlife spotting on one of the Yorkshire Nature Fair’s Meadow Safaris, pre-bookable through the Woodmeadow Trust website.

The Meadow Safari programme features:

Magnificent Moths - join Dr Terry Crawford (Lepidopterist) and find out why moths matter, the role they play in wildlife ecosystems, how you can create crucial habitats for moths at home and have a go at identifying moths.

Brilliant Butterflies - join Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire on a guided butterfly walk and find out why butterflies are an important part of the UK's wildlife. Have a go at butterfly spotting and find out how you can help build crucial wildlife corridors by attracting more butterflies at home.

Bumblebee ID - join Professor Dave Raffaelli (Chair of Woodmeadow Trust, Emeritus Professor of Ecology at the University of York and an acknowledged international researcher in the field of ecosystems and their management) on this exciting bee safari. Learn the basics of recognising bees and how to identify the common eight bumblebee species.

Snakes in the Grass - join Nick Atherton from Project Wild CIC and learn all about native snakes and lizards. Explore the meadow for snakes and assist Nick with his snake surveys.

Growing Native Wildflowers - join Kara Garnett, Assistant Site Manager at Woodmeadow Trust, and gain expert hints and tips on how to grow your own native wildflowers and find out their role in creating crucial wildlife ecosystems.

Pond Explorers - join Yorkshire Amphibian and Reptile Group (YARG) and find out about the important role pond life plays in wildlife ecosystems. Explore what lies under the water and is at the water’s edge and find out how you can introduce a pond at home.

Woodmeadow Creation - join Dan Carne, Director, UK Woodmeadow Network, Woodmeadow Trust, and learn all about the importance of woodmeadow creation in tackling the decline in biodiversity and how you can create your own woodmeadow, no matter how big or small.