Now in its fourth year running, the festival was packed full of activities designed to connect everyone to nature - whilst stirring our thoughts on the positive impact wildlife has on our wellbeing.

Set in the world’s largest landform structure, managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT), the connection between wildlife and art was already at the heart of the location but came to life in the woodlands that day.

As attendees made their way to the activities, striking ‘Green Pledges’ hung from the trees. Displayed especially for the festival, 120 of these pieces had been created recently onsite by visitors and local schools using recycled or repurposed materials; to show the commitment they would make to help improve our environment.

Louise Underwood, the textile Artist in Residence and environmentalist, who created this project and some of the larger exhibit pieces, was on hand to talk to visitors including those who returned to see their pledge on display.

Pledges included using no more plastic forks, no more nappy bags and following a vegan diet to help save the planet. The numbers 3796 which waved in the wind like a protest banner had everyone intrigued. Shockingly, Louise explained this is the average number of disposable nappies a baby up to the age of two and a half uses which end up on landfill sites and can take up to 500 years to decompose.

Through the trees, families could also be seen constructing wooden bird boxes to take home. Young naturalists, Oliver and Tom were both proud of their end results. They were not strangers to a wildlife challenge, having recently taken part in 30 Days Wild – The Wildlife Trusts’ national challenge.

Searching through the fallen leaves and spectacular fungi, were the children out on the mini beast safari. Equipped with magnifying glasses they were identifying and recording the smaller wildlife on site.

Over on our stalls, visitors were chatting with our volunteers and staff to find out more about our exciting projects such as Restoring Ratty, Kielder Osprey and Revitalising Redesdale, whilst children created their own wild head dress.

The afternoon guided walk, led by NWT’s Head of Land Management Duncan Hutt, followed the curved paths that wind around Our Lady of the North’s hips and breasts up to her nose where, at 100 feet high, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Northumberland and the land beyond.

Designed by artist Charles Jencks, Duncan explained how she is now far from the rigidly manicured lady the artist would have preferred but in fine shape for attracting wildlife and biodiversity. Despite the change of season, butterflies could still be seen in the wildflowers, insects over the pond, and a kestrel had hovered over the site that very morning.

After a refreshing walk it was the perfect time to visit the gazebo to learn what mindfulness is and how it can help our wellbeing. The workshop delivered by Michael Atkinson, Director of School of Mindfulness and a lecturer of medical science at Newcastle University, started with a four-minute session focused on a single raisin and ended with a ten-minute meditation.

The workshop highlighted that with so many distractions we often do not bring our attention to the present moment, which can help us to enjoy our environment more and understand ourselves better.

Continuing the theme of wellness and wildness, Mike Pratt Chief Executive at NWT helped people to connect to nature’s wild energy before bringing the event to a close with his final tai chi workshop of the day. Mike, who has practiced the martial art for over 20 years, described it as a great way to relax the mind and body and free it from distractions.

He explained how through connecting flowing movements with the body’s own natural breathing, you can slow down and connect to the natural rhythms of nature.

Relaxed and feeling the benefits of a day outdoors, ‘Our Wildlife’ event came to an end. Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery both the entry and many of the activities had been enjoyed for free and for some new ways of connecting with nature had been found.

For more information about Louise Underwood’s artist residency at Northumberlandia please visit obsesivcreativ.wordpress.com/blog

For details on Michael Atkinson’s School of Mindfulness: www.schoolofmindfulness.co.uk

More details on NWT’s future events can be found here: www.nwt.org.uk/whats-on

Karen Statham
Trustee, Northumberland Wildlife Trust