Broughton Sanctuary Community Events

Broughton Sanctuary Community Events

In association with

In association with

Fostering a Sense of Togetherness

Four years into our ambitious Nature Recovery Programme, Broughton Sanctuary is fast becoming one of the most important centres for nature in northern England. Our Nature Recovery Project is working towards transforming 1030 hectares of high intensity sheep pasture into a mosaic of different habitats that not only produce healthy nutritious food but also help to recover the degraded ecosystem and deliver essential ecosystem services such as natural flood management, carbon sequestration, biodiversity gain, healthier soils, cleaner air and water, as well as health and wellbeing opportunities for people.

In our commitment to fostering a sense of togetherness and appreciation for the natural world we are delighted to announce a series of complimentary community events throughout the year that invite you to join us on this incredible journey. These workshops are designed to inspire, refresh, and ignite your curiosity, providing an opportunity for everyone in our local community to come together.

All events are open to adults and accompanied children. Booking essential.

Fostering a Sense of Togetherness

Four years into our ambitious Nature Recovery Programme, Broughton Sanctuary is fast becoming one of the most important centres for nature in northern England. Our Nature Recovery Project is working towards transforming 1030 hectares of high intensity sheep pasture into a mosaic of different habitats that not only produce healthy nutritious food but also help to recover the degraded ecosystem and deliver essential ecosystem services such as natural flood management, carbon sequestration, biodiversity gain, healthier soils, cleaner air and water, as well as health and wellbeing opportunities for people.

In our commitment to fostering a sense of togetherness and appreciation for the natural world we are delighted to announce a series of complimentary community events throughout the year that invite you to join us on this incredible journey. These workshops are designed to inspire, refresh, and ignite your curiosity, providing an opportunity for everyone in our local community to come together.

All events are open to adults and accompanied children. Booking essential.

A Nature Encounter with Mark Cocker

Saturday 6 July: 10am – 1pm

Broughton Sanctuary is a magical place in midsummer and full of communities of wild animals and plants. Our aim is to immerse visitors in this natural abundance with author Mark Cocker, described recently as ‘one of our greatest living naturalists'.

Rewild the Land with Joel Bachelor

Weekly, starting 1 August: afternoon and morning sessions

These weekly volunteering events have a morning session from 9am until 12:30pm and an afternoon session from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Contribute your morning, afternoon, or even your whole day to the ongoing rewilding project at the sanctuary. You will be trained and guided by our resident nature recovery ranger, Joel Batchelor, who has personally planted thousands of trees here on the land. Activities will include but are not limited to, new and existing woodland maintenance, fence line removal and repairs, seasonal tree planting and fruit picking, leaky dam and habitat creation, hedge laying and coppicing, and much more.

Nature’s Dance with Eleni Green

Sunday 4 August: 2 to 4pm

Take a mindful walk around Broughton Sanctuary in the company of dancer Eleni Green. Eleni will guide you through gentle movement explorations, observing and responding to the natural sounds and landscapes, and paying attention to all that is around you. No dance experience necessary. For adults and young people aged 16 and over.

Land Art with Ruth Brotherton

Tuesday 20 August: drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm

In this creative and collaborative workshop you will be guided by artist Ruth Brotherton to work mindfully and gain a sense of nature connectedness: slowing down, stepping back and opening the senses. You will explore the natural environment, focusing in particular on elements of line, shape, colour, pattern and texture- collecting and selecting materials found on the forest floor to create varied pieces both at ground level and hanging up in the trees.

Nature Recovery Tour

Various dates: see times by clicking Book Now below

Join us for a morning exploring the rewilding landscape of Broughton Sanctuary and meet some of the animals and plants that we share our landscape with. Your guide will be River, who has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in restoring natural ecosystems and promoting biodiversity.

Nature Photography Walk for Families and Young People

Friday 9 August: 2 sessions available

Start your day with a shot of nature, on a relaxing and fun photo exploration of Broughton Sanctuary’s rewilded landscapes. Taking a gentle wander in nature, local professional photographer Rich Bunce will lead an easy-paced walk, sharing his best photography tips for the young, old, and everyone in between!

Fungi Walk with Andy Woodall

Friday 4 October: 10am - 12.30pm

Join renowned fungi expert Andy Woodall for a very leisurely walk through our beautiful autumnal woodland. We will be looking at all manner of fungi – focussing on identification and the stories behind the fungi we find, from ecology to folklore.

Nature Journaling with Annie Berrington

Thursday 10 October: 10am - 12pm

Noticing nature everyday helps unlock our understanding of the natural world and lift our spirits. In this nature journaling workshop Annie Berrington will share some fun creative exercises to develop observation skills and deepen our nature connections. Participants will try a range of sensory, nature-based activities to inspire regular nature journaling for wellbeing and awareness of our own environment.

Discovering Mosses

Wednesday 13 November: 10am - 1pm

Join our resident ecologist David Cockburn for an introductory event exploring the incredible world of mosses. After a short presentation, we will walk around a woodland area to search for and examine a range of mosses, using hand lenses supplied. We will then return to Utopia with some samples and there will be an opportunity to examine them up close and see even more details with a stereo microscope.

A Nature Encounter with Mark Cocker

Saturday 6 July: 10am – 1pm

Broughton Sanctuary is a magical place in midsummer and full of communities of wild animals and plants. Our aim is to immerse visitors in this natural abundance with author Mark Cocker, described recently as ‘one of our greatest living naturalists'.

Rewild the Land with Joel Bachelor

Weekly, starting 1 August: afternoon and morning sessions

These weekly volunteering events have a morning session from 9am until 12:30pm and an afternoon session from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Contribute your morning, afternoon, or even your whole day to the ongoing rewilding project at the sanctuary. You will be trained and guided by our resident nature recovery ranger, Joel Batchelor, who has personally planted thousands of trees here on the land. Activities will include but are not limited to, new and existing woodland maintenance, fence line removal and repairs, seasonal tree planting and fruit picking, leaky dam and habitat creation, hedge laying and coppicing, and much more.

Nature’s Dance with Eleni Green

Sunday 4 August: 2 to 4pm

Take a mindful walk around Broughton Sanctuary in the company of dancer Eleni Green. Eleni will guide you through gentle movement explorations, observing and responding to the natural sounds and landscapes, and paying attention to all that is around you. No dance experience necessary. For adults and young people aged 16 and over.

Land Art with Ruth Brotherton

Tuesday 20 August:
Drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm

In this creative and collaborative workshop you will be guided by artist Ruth Brotherton to work mindfully and gain a sense of nature connectedness: slowing down, stepping back and opening the senses. You will explore the natural environment, focusing in particular on elements of line, shape, colour, pattern and texture- collecting and selecting materials found on the forest floor to create varied pieces both at ground level and hanging up in the trees.

Nature Recovery Tour

Various dates: see times by clicking below

Join us for a morning exploring the rewilding landscape of Broughton Sanctuary and meet some of the animals and plants that we share our landscape with. Your guide will be River, who has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in restoring natural ecosystems and promoting biodiversity.

Nature Photography Walk for Families and Young People

Friday 9 August: 2 sessions available

Start your day with a shot of nature, on a relaxing and fun photo exploration of Broughton Sanctuary’s rewilded landscapes. Taking a gentle wander in nature, local professional photographer Rich Bunce will lead an easy-paced walk, sharing his best photography tips for the young, old, and everyone in between!

Fungi Walk with Andy Woodall

Friday 4 October: 10am - 12.30pm

Join renowned fungi expert Andy Woodall for a very leisurely walk through our beautiful autumnal woodland. We will be looking at all manner of fungi – focussing on identification and the stories behind the fungi we find, from ecology to folklore.

Nature Journaling with Annie Berrington

Thursday 10 October: 10am - 12pm

Noticing nature everyday helps unlock our understanding of the natural world and lift our spirits. In this nature journaling workshop Annie Berrington will share some fun creative exercises to develop observation skills and deepen our nature connections. Participants will try a range of sensory, nature-based activities to inspire regular nature journaling for wellbeing and awareness of our own environment.

Discovering Mosses

Wednesday 13 November: 10am - 1pm

Join our resident ecologist David Cockburn for an introductory event exploring the incredible world of mosses. After a short presentation, we will walk around a woodland area to search for and examine a range of mosses, using hand lenses supplied. We will then return to Utopia with some samples and there will be an opportunity to examine them up close and see even more details with a stereo microscope.

Information on our Winter programme coming soon!

These events have been funded by the White Rose Forest through their Trees for Climate programme, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate fund. The White Rose Forest is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire, and provides support and funding for woodland creation across the region as well as initiatives that bring people and nature closer together.

whiteroseforest.org

Information on our Winter programme coming soon!

These events have been funded by the White Rose Forest through their Trees for Climate programme, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate fund. The White Rose Forest is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire, and provides support and funding for woodland creation across the region as well as initiatives that bring people and nature closer together.

whiteroseforest.org