The Wolseley Centre will be host to some of the best local wildlife organisations in the county. Meet wildlife experts and ask for advice, see demonstrations from local artists, buy outdoor and wildlife goods, get hands on with our nature activities and crafts, listen to one of many wild talks or join a guided walk; this Wildlife Fair is as much for the enthusiast as it is for the whole family.
This event is part of #WildFest2015, which is supported by Crayfish Design. The event is sponsored by Opticron.
Who's Coming?
Conservation organisations
- Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- Butterfly Conservation (West Midlands Branch)
- BTO Staffordshire
- Staffordshire Ecological Record
- RSPB
- British Arachnological Society
- Staffordshire Bat Group
- Staffordshire Fungus Group
- Staffordshire Badger Group
- West Midland Bird Club (Stafford Branch)
- Staffordshire Wild Bee Group
- West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue
- Cannock Chase AONB
- Staffordshire Barn Owl Action Group
- Brewood Ringers
- OPAL
- Staffordshire Invertebrate Group
- Staffordshire Amphibian and Reptile Group
Demonstrators, artists and sellers
- Binocular sellers and event sponsors Opticron
- Chainsaw artist Anthony Hammond
- Chase Interactive Photography
- Young photographer Ryan Wood
- The Wolseley Centre wildlife products (selling bird feeders, bird food, nest boxes, bug hotels etc)
- Nature Knits
- Ben Murcott Wildlife Art with oil painting demonstrations
What's going on?
Activities
You can book on the following activities on the day:
- Pond dipping (supported by OPAL)
- Naturally Art (including willow weaving)
- Bug hunting (supported by OPAL)
The above sessions are included in the ticket price and places can be booked in the SWT Activity Tent and will last approximately 45 minutes, running at 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00.
OPAL will also be running earthworm surveys and tree health surveys during the day.
Guided walks
You can join one of the experts on a guided walk to find out about the wildlife at The Wolseley Centre, increase your ecological knowledge and learn new ID skills. Walks are included in the ticket price and will last about 45 minutes. They will leave from the SWT Activity Tent on Park Bank.
- 12:15pm - Get to know the birds and birdsong of the Wolseley Centre with Scott Petrek of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- 1:30pm - Join Ron Rock of Staffordshire Wild Bee Group to see what pollinators can be found flying around
- 2:45pm - Dave Jackson from Butterfly Conservation will be leading this walk around the grounds in search of butterflies and day-flying moths
Talks
Drop in and increase your wild knowledge at one or more of these talks:
- 11:30am – Film: ‘Wild North Staffordshire’ by Peter Durnall, Winner of a Diamond Award and Best Photography at The IAC British International Amateur Film Competition 2013
- 12.15pm - 'Butterflies of Staffordshire' by Dave Jackson of Butterfly Conservation
- 1:00 pm – ‘Bats’ by Ron Rock of Staffordshire Bat Group
- 1:45pm – ‘Badgers – it’s not all black and white’ by Sandra Dudley of Staffordshire Badger Group
- 2:30pm - 'Secret Staffordshire - the wildlife of SWT nature reserves’ by Scott Petrek of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- 3:15pm – ‘Bees: Abuzz in the border’ by Ron Rock of Staffordshire Wild Bee Group
- 4:00pm – ‘Hedgehogs’ by Joan Lockley of West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue
Talks are included in the ticket price and will take place in the Conference Room in the Visitor Centre.
Book advance tickets now!