A 5-acre brownfield site will be brought back to life for nature and the local community over the next three years, with young people taking the lead.

Grow Wilder, located just outside Bristol city centre, is Avon Wildlife Trust’s thriving urban nature reserve and food-growing hub. The nature restoration site is at the rear of the existing hub and is part of the wider Intergenerational Action for Climate and Nature programme.

Along with two other nature restoration projects, the programme received £870,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

“This project will transform what is now an underused, neglected area into a nature-rich space where young people can learn, grow and be heard. Through this work we will honour the rich ecological, food growing and social history of this little patch of land and bring together different voices to shape its future”,

says Lucy Hellier, Acting Head of Communities and Engagement at Avon Wildlife Trust.

The Community Open Day will be the first time the new project area has been open to the public, where they’ll have the opportunity to meet the Youth Leadership Group made up of local 13-18 year-olds, who are supporting and guiding project partners Avon Wildlife Trust and Action for Conservation in the project’s design and delivery.

During the day visitors will have the chance to:

• Take part in guided nature walks and help record Bristol’s wildlife
• Explore the wildflower nursery (with the option to purchase locally grown plants)
• Learn about the site’s local history
• Get an exclusive look at the new area on tours designed and led by the young people that are creating it
• Meet the resident group of goats and learn about Street Goat, the team who look after them

“Community events like this are an important step in enhancing and restoring nature in Bristol. They are vital to fostering strong relationships between young leaders and local people who live, work and enjoy spaces like Grow Wilder. The Youth Leadership Group has been working hard creating exciting activities for the public, it is set to be an inspiring and empowering experience for everyone!”

Ellen Tiffin, South West Land-based Project Coordinator, Action for Conservation.

The Community Open Day runs from 10am to 4pm and is a chance to meet these young leaders from Bristol who are working with expert ecologists, farmers and local community members to create a new, multigenerational vision for nature restoration in the city.

More information about the event can be found on the Avon Wildlife Trust website www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

Thanks to National Lottery players, Action for Conservation, Avon Wildlife Trust and Heartwood CIC have received over £870,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

For further information, contact Stuart McCarthy-Thompson, Communications and Campaigns Manager communications@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk