Into The Light
Fri 10 May 2024 9:00 AM - Sat 11 May 2024 9:00 PM BST
Heal Somerset, BA11 5HH
Description
Into The Light
This two-day gathering at Heal Somerset will bring together the leading voices and key change-makers from across the rewilding movement in the UK, including environment, wildlife, finance and tech professionals, scientists, climate change campaigners, career seekers and those looking for answers in the face of devastating nature and climate decline.
On each of the two days, people will gather to learn from inspiring speakers, share knowledge and talk about what’s working and what’s not. Together we will discuss creative and action-focused approaches and strategies to mitigate the biodiversity and climate crises we are facing, and explore the positive impact of rewilding on nature, climate and wellbeing.
But it’s about much more than learning. What makes a gathering like this so powerful are the chance conversations, the unexpected introductions, the long discussions deep into the night. Attendees will have the opportunity to spend time together on our beautiful rewilding site, helping to foster a greater level of connection, mutual support and interaction with others working towards the same goals within this relatively new sector.
Friday 10 May
The programme on Friday has been curated with a professional audience in mind but would be of interest to others, for example landowners, students and anyone interested in these topics. This day will put the spotlight on financial and technical innovation in the rewilding sector, highlighting and sharing good practice and considering the opportunities and limits of finance and technology in nature-led recovery.
Friday speakers include:
- Alastair Driver, Director, Rewilding Britain
- Annie Leeson, CEO, Agricarbon
- Alicia Gibson, Advisory Director, Finance Earth
- Ella Milne, Ecosystem Analyst, Ecosulis
- Geoff Carss, CEO, Wilder Sensing
- Harry Grocott, CEO and co-founder, Treeconomy
- Helen Avery, Director of Nature Programmes and GFI Hive, Green Finance Institute
- Helen Edmundson, Deputy Director of Green Finance at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- Joe Hampson, Honeygar Wilding Officer for the Somerset Wildlife Trust
Saturday 11 May
Saturday will have a wildlife focus where attendees will hear from inspiring speakers and have the chance to contribute, challenge and question, as well as share good practice and positive stories of nature-recovery in their own areas. We will also consider how we can mitigate the impact of living in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world on our wellbeing as individuals and communities.
Saturday speakers include:
- Chantal Lyons, Naturalist, writer and science communicator
- Chantelle Lindsay, Wildlife conservationist and presenter
- George Cook, Wildlife expert and photographer
- Jasmine Isa Qureshi, Intersectional writer, activist and storyteller
- Kwesia, Founder of City Girl In Nature
- Nick Gates, Naturalist and award-winning author and filmmaker
- Sean McCormack, Vet, wildlife presenter, conservationist and naturalist
Alongside the main programme we will be offering fringe activities including site and wildlife tours, yoga and other activities on both days.
More details including speaker information can be found here https://www.healsomerset.org.uk/events/into-the-light
Sponsor
Many thanks to event sponsor, Finance Earth
Sponsored tickets from Providence Ecological
We have a small number of free tickets available for this event thanks to sponsorship from Providence Ecological. These are intended to be for the use of young people, students and anyone that may find the cost of the event prohibitive. These are offered on a basis of trust and on a first come first served basis. You can see more about Providence Ecological on their LinkedIn page and their website
Ticket prices and early bird offer
There are limited early bird tickets available which offer a 15% discount on the full price of each ticket and are available for all options with the exception of student/low-income, camping and parking. Once the allotted amount of early bird tickets are sold, the tickets will revert to the full price.
We have set ticket prices to acknowledge that some attendees will be in a position to pay more than others and the higher prices for those that can afford it, will help subsidise the cost of tickets for others. This is an honesty system and we ask that you choose the level that is most applicable to you.
Age
Into The Light is open to anyone aged 16 or over as long as they are accompanied by an adult, and 18 or over if attending alone.
Camping
Wild camping is available on site at Heal Somerset and you will need to select a camping ticket for each night you would like to stay. The camping is basic with a mains cold water tap and toilets. If camping is not your thing, there are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton which are a short drive from the site
Tours
We will have optional tours which you can include in your booking or, if there is space, you can book on the day. These will take place outside of the main programme times so will not clash with any speakers.
Location
Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.
Transport
The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option. If you are driving you will need to select a parking ticket for each day you will be on site. We will do some pick ups from Castle Cary station for those travelling on train so please do let us know if you would require a pick up at heal@healrewilding.org.uk and we will come back with some timings.
Clothing and other considerations
We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground and wellingtons if the weather has been very wet in the days leading up to the event. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat. To reduce the chance of ticks finding their way inside clothing, we recommend long trousers tucked into socks. If the forecast is hot, it's best to wear layers including a light cotton shirt or t-shirt and please bring sun cream and potentially a hat. We also recommend bringing a water bottle, preferably a reusable one. You will be able to top it up at the site.
[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation by people who may be unfamiliar with being at an outdoor event and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]
Food and drink
There will be options to purchase food and drink on site and there will be a bar on the Friday and Saturday evening.
Accessibility
If you are a wheelchair user or have any other additional accessibility requests, please email heal@healrewilding.org.uk to discuss requirements.
If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.
Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.
Cancellation
We reserve the right to cancel this event in it's entirety or one of the event days, but this will be avoided unless absolutely necessary. You will be refunded in the case of cancellation. Changes to the programme including speakers could be made at anytime.
Location
Heal Somerset, BA11 5HH