New partners for wildlife festival

There will be something different on offer at this year’s Shetland Nature Festival.

Two new partners have joined Geopark Shetland, the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage to create a varied programme

The Our Dynamic Earth team from Edinburgh will be exploring Earth’s 4.6 billion year history in a series of events inspired by James Hutton and Arthur Holmes, “Scotland’s Time Lords”.

And the Clipperton Project will be running a series of expeditions of discovery aboard a floating laboratory at various locations around Shetland.

The Clipperton Project is an international, independent organisation which uses notions of journeying, exploration and discovery.

More familiar guided walks and open days at Noss and Sumburgh Head are included in the programme, in addition to more creative ways of engaging with the natural world such as Parkour sessions at the Sletts and snorkeling tours at Leebiton.

Art lovers can enjoy an artist studio and nature trail, while craft workshops using recycled materials are also new for this year.

The programme co-ordinator is Robina Barton, also Geopark Shetland Officer with Shetland Amenity Trust. She said: “It’s wonderful to work with people who are experts in their field and have this ability to communicate their knowledge and enthusiasm in fun and interesting ways.

“We already know that the festival brings visitors to the islands, and now it is providing a means by which local residents can access and enjoy activities with organisations such as Our Dynamic Earth and the Clipperton Project.

“In spite of very real economic challenges, we’re working to ensure this Festival goes from strength to strength.”