Event
Nature Matters 2017: Exploring Change
Since 2009, New Networks for Nature has organised a series of events designed to explore new perspectives in our cultural and creative responses to birds, nature and wildlife, and to challenge certain narrowly defined but prevailing views on the environment. The meetings draw together a wide cross-section of individuals and institutions, whose professional work and private lives draw inspiration from the natural world.
Nothing in nature stays the same. From the microscopic to the mountainous, from milliseconds to millennia, the natural world is constantly changing. Humans are perhaps the greatest agents of change, driving it for our needs and wants. This complex threading of natural and man-made change can be both enriching and destructive. Understanding change is vital to living sustainably as part of the natural world.
Thursday 16th November 18.30 22.00
Exploring change through words and actions. We will explore the ways in which we document, create and respond to changes in with the world around us, through conversation between author Patrick Barkham and co-founder of the Eden Project Tim Smit, chaired by Mary Colwell.
18.30 20.00 Welcome drinks. A chance to meet friends and colleagues and view the John Clare exhibition on display in the art gallery space.
20.00 21.45 New Networks Conversation. Welcome by Chair Mary Colwell (including introduction to the John Clare Exhibition by artist Carry Akroyd).
Patrick Barkham and Tim Smit explore how words and action inspire change.
09.30 09.40 Introduction to the day Derek Niemann.
Prologue: 09.40 10.00 Mike Benton. Changing Environments a deep-time perspective
Nature is undergoing unprecedented change driven by human activity. How are we to understand this? The fossil record shows us that change and extinction are normal so how unusual is the current amount and rate of change? How do historical and palaeontological approaches enrich our understanding of modern extinction rate, risk, and climate change?
Session 1: 10.00 11.00
Changing Oceans Chair Jeremy Mynott.
We live on a blue planet. The oceans make up the majority of the surface of the earth. They are so vast it is easy to assume they are immune to the actions of humanity. But are they? Three people have lived and breathed the oceans and documented the change they have personally experienced at the poles, in the tropics and through the way we treat ocean life.
Contributors: Doug Allen, Helen Scales, Philip Hoare
Coffee:11.00 11.45
Session 2: 11.45 13.00
New Networks Debate Chair Ian Newton
Over the last 50 years, farming methods have intensified. Small mixed farms have been replaced by large monocultures, the use of chemicals has increased, land has been drained, hedgerows removed, forests planted and meadows turned into cropland. The farming landscape has altered radically and wildlife has declined. Is this inevitable? By 2050, Britain will be one of the most populated countries in Europe; can we produce food for 76 million people and still have room for wildlife?
Contributors: Micky Astor, Becks Hosking, Davy McCracken.
Lunch: 13.00 14.15
Epiphanies: 14.15 14.30
Film of peoples experiences sent in by the public. Why we love nature, and what inspires us.
Session 3: 14.30 15.30
Historical Perspectives Chair Katrina Porteous
Attitudes to nature have changed over the centuries. From ancient Greece to modern times our view of the natural world has altered radically. Understanding past perspectives on non-human life can be both enriching and enlightening.
Contributors: Jeremy Mynott, Erica Fudge, Isabelle Charmantier
Tea: 15.30 16.00
16.00 16.15 Visual interpretation
Redshift and Cobra Mist films by Emily Richardson
Session 4: 16.15 17.15
International Perspectives Chair John Fanshawe
It is easy to become locked into our own cultural views of the natural world, yet other countries often see nature differently.
Contributors: Mike Edwards, Alice Owen, Nishant Kumar.
08.00 09.00 Morning bird walk
09.20 09.30 Introduction to the day by Jeremy Mynott
09.30 10.00 Performance
Steve Waters discusses the power of drama in communicating about nature.
Session 1: 10.00 11.00
Changing Perceptions of Hidden Worlds Chair Juniper Kiss
Not all of wildlife is easy to see and those who are showing us hidden worlds are helping change how we look at the whole of nature around us.
Contributors: Georgia Locock, Jack Perks, James Parry.
Coffee : 11.00 11.30
Session 2: 11.30 12.30
Changing What We See Chair Tim Birkhead
Seeing the familiar through different eyes can be transformational. Three different contributors are changing the way the natural world is viewed.
Contributors: Mya-Rose Craig, Heather Hunt, Mike Benton
Lunch: 12.30 13.45
13:45 14.00 Poetry and prose
Katrina Porteous performs her poetry on change and nature.
Derek Niemann reads a passage from his book A Tale of Trees.
Session 3: 14.00 15.00
Change through creativity Chair Richard Kerridge
Portraying the natural world through artistic expression can bring new insights and perspectives.
Contributors: Harriet Mead, Dafydd Davies-Hughes
Tea: 15.00 15.45
Session 4: 15.45 16.00
Music Finale Mike Edwards on the didgeridoo
Review and looking ahead to 2018: 16.00 16.45
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LocationStamford Arts Centre (View)
St Mary's Street
Stamford PE9 2DL
United Kingdom
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
Q&A
| Question: |
Is there a student discount for this event
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| Answer: |
No, we aim to keep all ticket prices as low as we can because our core audience includes many on a low wage or in education. |
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| Question: |
what is the service fee for? |
| Answer: |
The service fee is charged by Brown Paper Tickets for processing the ticket purchase. |
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