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Events

01 Dec
01 Dec 2025 - 31 May 2026 8:00 am - 11:30 pm

Mapping amphibian breeding activity across the UK

The PondNet Spawn Survey maps the sightings of Common Frog and Common Toad spawn across the country to better understand how amphibians use different types of waterbodies to breed.

Freshwater Habitats Trust runs the PondNet Spawn survey from December to May. With your help, we can collect important data on the location of breeding frogs and toads. To take part, record Common Frog or Common Toad spawn spotted in garden ponds or any ponds, ditches or puddles you come across in your adventures in the countryside.

Visit the Freshwater Habitats Trust Website to see how to get involved.

01 Apr
01 Apr - 31 Oct 2026 12:00 am - 11:30 pm

Are you looking for something to do with your friends and family in your local area this spring/summer/autumn?

The Sunset Survey (April – October) brings you a perfect opportunity to get together with family/friends and discover bats and other wildlife in your local area. This is ideal for you if you don’t have previous bat surveying experience. Just spend an hour from sunset (or before sunrise) and let us know what you see/hear from your window, balcony, garden or local green space.

See how to take part and submit your sightings here.

01 Apr
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Living with Mammals survey invites people across the UK to record the wild mammals they see in their gardens, parks, allotments, or other local green spaces. By collecting these observations, researchers can track how mammal populations are changing and better understand the health of our urban and rural environments.

Taking part is simple. Choose a nearby green space and record any mammals you see, or signs they leave behind such as footprints or droppings. Submitting these sightings online helps build a national picture of where species like hedgehogs, foxes, squirrels, and bats are living and how their numbers are changing.

Find out more and take part:
https://ptes.org/get-involved/surveys/garden/living-with-mammals/about-the-living-with-mammals-survey/

01 Apr
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2026 8:00 am - 11:30 pm

A UK-wide citizen science project inviting people to record birds in local green spaces between April and June. Open to all experience levels, with flexible participation using a simple app or paper forms.

The data collected helps improve understanding of how green spaces support birdlife and informs future conservation.

Find out more here.

01 May
01 May - 31 Jul 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Help track the UK’s declining House Martin population by taking part in this citizen science survey. Participants are asked to record nesting sites and breeding activity during the 2026 season, contributing valuable data to support conservation work and better understand population changes.

No prior experience is needed, and observations can be submitted from anywhere in Sussex and beyond.

Find out more and how to take part here.

08 May
08 - 09 May 2026 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Art in Nature: Wakehurst Community Festival, 8–9 May 2026 | Free Event (Booking Essential)

Ignite your creativity at Wakehurst’s two‑day Community Festival celebrating Art in Nature. Enjoy a vibrant programme of accessible, hands‑on activities designed for people who may experience barriers to visiting

Activities include:

  • Creative Workshops
  • Music, poetry and storytelling
  • Performances from your community groups
  • Potion making and science workshops
  • Guided tours
  • Forest bathing and much more!

This year we are including a changing places toilet

Become a citizen scientist, learn the rhythms of the djembe drum, collaborate with local artists, and enjoy delicious food throughout the gardens.

Free tickets and parking — book now at: kew.org/art-in-nature
URL Link: https://www.kew.org/learning/community-access/community-access-at-wakehurst/community-festival

Wakehurst, Ardingly West Sussex RH17 6TN United Kingdom
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15 May
15 - 16 May 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Visit Springham Farm as part of Agroforestry Open Weekend, a chance to explore regenerative, biodynamic farming in action. Discover how trees, crops and wildlife are integrated across the farm, and learn about approaches that support soil health, biodiversity and sustainable food production.

Guided tours take place at 10:00 and 14:00 on Friday 15 May and Saturday 16 May, offering opportunities to walk the site, see agroforestry systems first-hand, and speak with those managing the land.

Find out more and book your place here.

Springham Farm, Grove Hill
Hellingly, East Sussex BN27 4HE United Kingdom
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Free – £5
15 May
15 May 2026 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

A practical online session exploring the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 and how to navigate the application process. Learn how to map applications, manage agreements, and collect evidence using digital tools, with insights to help make the most of the scheme.

Find out more and book here.

16 May
16 May - 15 Jun 2026 10:15 am - 3:15 pm

A relaxed outdoor session for families and young people to connect, play, and create music together in Wakehurst’s wild landscapes.

Join us throughout the year to explore the power of sound and nature at Wakehurst. Take part in a two-hour outdoor session designed for families and young people. Each session includes a gentle walk, creative music-making, and moments of mindfulness surrounded by nature. Suitable for ages 5+.

For more information and how to register click here Wakehurst Roots and Rhythm 2026 Poster.

Wakehurst, Ardingly West Sussex RH17 6TN United Kingdom
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23 May
23 May 2026 All day

This free, community-led festival celebrates nature, wildlife, and the return of the white stork to the local landscape. It marks Storrington’s recognition as a European Stork Village in partnership with Knepp Wildland Foundation, highlighting the success of local rewilding and species restoration efforts.

The day brings together residents, conservationists, and visitors for a lively programme of activities, performances, and talks. Key moments include a village parade, live music, and expert-led discussions on rewilding, bird migration, and landscape-scale conservation, featuring voices from projects such as the White Stork Project and Weald to Waves.

Across the village and recreation ground, visitors can explore interactive exhibits, wildlife-themed crafts, and hands-on conservation activities. Highlights include birds of prey displays, conservation grazing demonstrations, nature education for families, and opportunities to meet project experts and volunteers.

With a mix of education, celebration, and community engagement, the festival showcases how people and nature can thrive together, while inspiring action to support biodiversity locally and beyond.

Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Spierbridge Rd
Storrington, West Sussex RH20 4PG United Kingdom
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23 May
23 May 2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Come along and learn some of Wildflower Lewes’ tried and trusted ideas so that you can make your garden, window box or planter more nature-friendly. Find out why our native wildflowers are so important – and take some home to plant.

Find out more here.

Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2LU United Kingdom
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28 May
28 May 2026 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Find out how dung beetles contribute to IPM, management practices to maximise beetle abundance, and how to monitor beetles on your farm.

Join the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) in the beautiful South Downs for this on-farm event, featuring:

  • Dr Kelly Jowett from Rothamsted Research
  • Grahame, Gail and Anna Kittle from Sullington Manor Farm

Sullington Manor Farm is located in the village of Sullington and is a traditional working beef and arable farm on 500 acres in the heart of the picturesque South Downs National Park. The owners have worked with nature for over thirty years with a long-term commitment to the sustainability of the landscape.

Lunch will be provided.

Dr Kelly is an entomologist working on the design of cropping systems and landscapes to reconcile crop and livestock production with biodiversity and ecosystem services. She has a particular interest in the functional biodiversity of carabid and dung beetles, and working with farmers to apply her research.

Sullington Farm, Sullington Lane
Storrington, RH20 4AE United Kingdom
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30 May
30 May 2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

The mission of People’s Park for Nature is “Connecting people, sharing land, restoring the wild”. Come and find out why it is important to reintroduce lost species to the Lower Ouse Valley such as beavers, storks, eagles, and more. Drop in for activities for all ages and get advice on bringing the wild into your garden or green space.

Find out more here.

Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street
Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2LU United Kingdom
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01 Jun
01 Jun - 31 Jul 2026 12:00 am - 11:30 pm

The Stag Beetle Count is a citizen science survey that helps track populations of one of Britain’s most iconic insects. By recording sightings of stag beetles, participants contribute valuable data that helps conservationists understand where the species is found and how its numbers are changing.

Taking part is simple. Spend around 30 minutes on a warm evening watching for stag beetles in your garden or along a short walking route, then submit your observations online. Even a single sighting can help improve our understanding of this remarkable species.

Find out more and take part:
https://stagbeetles.ptes.org/stag-beetle-count/

06 Jun
06 - 16 Jun 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

A community celebration of nature and climate action, bringing people together across Arundel to explore practical ways to protect and restore the environment. Events run as part of the UK-wide Great Big Green Week, featuring walks, talks, workshops and hands-on activities that highlight local projects and inspire positive change.

It is a chance to connect with local nature initiatives, learn new skills, and get involved in protecting green spaces for the future.

See what’s on here.