Festival of Nature
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MK Festival of Nature 1-8 July 2017 A special week-long programme of activities to celebrate the beautiful and inspiring nature found in Milton Keynes’ green space. www.MKfestivalofnature.org Berkshir #MKFoN Buck Oxfordshiringhamshire e e Milton Keynes Natural History Society Discover the great outdoors in our green city With over 5,000 acres of beautiful parks, woodlands and lakes to explore, you’re never far from nature. The Parks Trust is an independent, self-funded charity and we care for and maintain the green space across Milton Keynes. We ensure these spaces are expertly maintained and managed and we also plan, develop and invest for the future, so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors, now and forever. • Over 200 annual events from Proms in Campbell Park to World Picnic, organised runs to led walks – there’s something for everyone Discover your parks, check out upcoming • Outdoor learning and education for all ages events, read a little more about us and fi nd • Parties and exploring for adventurers big and small out how you can volunteer on our website at • Watersports and aquatic fun • Volunteering opportunities www.theparkstrust.com Everyone is welcome See you there! 2 14730 PAR_General-Advert_A4 (12) JS.indd 1 16/11/2016 16:24 Welcome Welcome to our guide to Milton Keynes’ frst ever festival of nature. Organised in partnership by The Parks Trust, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and Milton Keynes Natural History Society, the Festival of Nature is a celebration of the fascinating and varied nature that can be found across the city. There is a wide-ranging programme of activities available for people of all ages, located in areas across the city. It’s a great opportunity to fnd out more about the creatures and plants we may see every day, and those that are a little rarer. Full details about each activity can be found within this booklet. For some events, booking will be essential and details for how to do this can be found in each event description. The activities in this booklet are subject to change – please visit www.MKfestivalofnature.org or www.theparkstrust.com for up to date information. We hope this will be the frst of many Festivals of Nature in Milton Keynes – do share your photos and feedback from the week on our social media channels below, using #MKFoN f theparkstrust bbowildlifetrust w www.mknhs.org.uk @theparkstrust @bbowt @theparkstrust @bbowt 3 What’s on NATURE DAY Sat 1 July 11am-4pm Join The Parks Trust, MK Natural History Howe Park Wood FREE Society and Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust for a day dedicated to nature. No booking required. For details, contact: [email protected] Park at Westcroft District Centre and use the 01908 255379 Redway underpasses that lead to Howe Park Wood. BEAT THE STREET WILD Get some tips for photographing nature and PHOTO WALK wildlife in your local area. Please bring your Sat 1 July 10am-12pm own SLR and DSLR cameras and lenses. Furzton Lake FREE Booking essential, email: Park in the car park of V4 Watling Street [email protected] opposite the National Bowl. MILTON KEYNES Teaching by qualifed and Angling Trust ANGLING insured coaches for children aged 5-16 years ASSOCIATION JUNIOR old. Suitable for complete beginners up- wards. Everything supplied except a seat/ FISHING TEACH-IN stool – please bring your own. Bring boots Sat 1 July 2-6pm and water-repellent clothing. Grand Union Canal £5/person A responsible adult must stay with children under 12 throughout the session. Booking and information, email: Nuala Gray: Meet at Deans Road, Old Wolverton, [email protected] Milton Keynes. FRIENDS OF LINFORD LAKE NATURE RESERVE WORK PARTY Join a volunteer taster session with the Sun 2 July 10am-1pm Friends of Linford Lakes. Linford Lakes Reserve FREE Meet in the education centre car park, of Booking essential, email Jane Wolverton Road, Great Linford, MK14 5AH. Grisdale: [email protected] 4 ORIENTEERING Join South Midlands Orienteering Club and Sun 2 July 10am-12pm learn to use a map in the ancient woodland Linford Wood £5/entry surroundings of Linford Wood. No booking required. Park along the roadside at Breckland, For details, visit www.smoc.info of V7 Saxon Street, Linford Wood. GUIDED Join the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust WOODLAND WALK for a guided walk through the fantastic Little Mon 3 July 1pm-3pm Linford wood looking at the wildfowers, Little Linford Wood butterfies and other wonderful woodland FREE of charge, but wildlife. The walk will take about 1.5 hours donations are welcome and is on fairly fat footpaths. Dogs on leads welcome, not suitable for wheelchairs. Booking essential, visit: www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on www.bbowt.org.uk/reserves/little-linford-wood for further information and to book. 4.5 miles north of Milton Keynes, MK16 8LU Map reference SP 834 455 Parking info: On the B526 north from Newport Pagnell, take road on left to Haversham. After 0.5 miles take private road on right (look for small badger sign on edge of track); farm gate is usually open, but if it is closed please park nearby. Follow track for one mile to surfaced car park, open from dawn until dusk,100m past the Dairy Farm. SECRET MK - NATURE WALK Mon 3 July 6pm-7.30pm Discover one of the lesser known sites in Waterhall Park £2/person Milton Keynes, Waterhall Park. Join a Parks Trust ranger for a walk looking at the natural Booking essential, visit history of this site, on the edge of Bletchley. www.theparkstrust.com For details contact: Meet in the car park, over the canal bridge, [email protected] on Mill Road, Water Eaton. 01908 255379 5 What’s on GUIDED WALK LED BY MEMBERS OF MK NATURAL All are welcome to this wander around the HISTORY SOCIETY lakes looking at the birds, insects, plants and Tues 4 July 7pm other wildlife. Willen Lake North FREE Park in the Peace Pagoda car park, V10 Brickhill No booking required. Street, Willen Lake North. Parking charges apply. For details, visit www.mknhs.org.uk BAT AND MOTH WALK Tues 4 July 9pm-11pm Linford Lakes Nature Reserve Discover the nocturnal animals which fy £2/person in the skies above Linford Lakes Nature Reserve. Booking essential, visit www.theparkstrust.com Meet in the education centre car park, of For details contact Wolverton Road, Great Linford, MK14 5AH. [email protected] 01908 255379 WETLAND NATURE WALK Wed 5 July 10am-11.30am Floodplain Forest Explore the newly created Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve £2/person in the north of Milton Keynes, in the Ouse Valley. Join a Parks Trust ranger for a walk Booking essential, visit looking at the bird and plant life at this www.theparkstrust.com amazing site. For details contact [email protected] Meet in the car park for Manor Farm, of Old 01908 255379 Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton. 6 RIVER VALLEY NATURE WALK £2/person Discover the gems of the historic landscape Wed 5 July 6pm-7.30pm in Milton Keynes. Join a Parks Trust ranger Ouzel Valley Park for a walk along the River Ouzel looking at the natural history and farmland of this Booking essential, visit www.theparkstrust.com beautiful area. For details contact Meet in the water gardens car park, Newport [email protected] Road, Woughton-on-the-Green. 01908 255379 WOMEN’S WALKING NETWORK £1/person payable on the day Walks of 4-5 miles for women. Discover the Thu 6 July 10am-12pm parkland of Stanton Low. Stanton Low Meet in the car park on Newport Road next to the No booking required. For details new Asda on Oakridge Park. contact [email protected] 01908 255379 NATURE ACTION DAY A talk about Great Linford Manor Park and FREE what makes it unique, botanically and Thu 6 July 10am-3pm historically, followed by a conservation Great Linford Manor Park activity in collaboration with MK Green Gym. Refreshments and snacks supplied. Booking essential, contact Bring your own packed lunch. Wear clothing [email protected] and footwear appropriate for outdoor work. Arts Centre Car Park, Parklands (via St Leger Drive), Great Linford, MK14 5DZ. THE PARKS TRUST PUBLIC OPEN MEETING Find out more about the work FREE of The Parks Trust. Thu 6 July 6pm-8pm Park at Campbell Park Pavilion, Campbell Park Pavillion Silbury Boulevard MK9 4AD. No booking required. For details, contact [email protected] 7 WOODLAND Discover one of the ancient woodland NATURE WALK £2/person habitats of Milton Keynes. Join a Parks Fri 7 July 1pm-2.30pm Trust ranger for a walk around this beautiful Linford Wood ancient woodland, looking at the specialised plants and animals of this Booking essential, visit amazing habitat. www.theparkstrust.com For details contact 01908 255379 Meet in the car park on Enfeld Chase, of the V7 [email protected] Saxon Street. FAMILY BAT AND MOTH WALK Discover the nocturnal animals which fy in £2/person the skies above Linford Lakes. Fri 7 July 9pm-11pm Meet in the education centre car park, of Linford Lakes Nature Reserve Wolverton Road, Great Linford, MK14 5AH. Booking essential, visit www.theparkstrust.com Contact [email protected] 01908 255379 GET INTO NATURE Come and join the Wildlife Trust’s wild zone Fri 7 and Sat 8 July in intu Milton Keynes and fnd out about INTU Milton Keynes wildlife in your area. Visit our pop up garden for hints and tips on how you can help wildlife at home. Hands-on children’s Car parking available around activity. View a selection of the entries from the shopping centre.