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20
May 2023
District to take part in Yorkshire's first Rewilding Festival
The Harrogate district is to take part in Yorkshire's first Rewilding Festival to encourage debate about the value of allowing green spaces to grow naturally.
The festival has been organised by the Yorkshire Rewilding Network, a charity that aims to 'connect, inspire and enable rewilding across Yorkshire'.
Beginning on June 13 there will be a variety of events across the summer which include a day of learning and connection for rewilders, well-being walks and workshops in some of Yorkshire’s most inspiring rewilding sites.
In the Harrogate district there are activities in High Birstwith, Kirk Hammerton and Summerbridge.
The charity said the idea of a festival was born out of a belief that more is achieved with a message of hope and that bringing people together creates a 'buzz' that builds positive momentum.
Samantha Mennell, Yorkshire Rewilding Festival director, said:
Read More:
- Harrogate council to repeat Stray rewilding experiment
- Stray Views: is this rewilding eyesore acceptable for Harrogate?
- Wildflowers to be planted on Stray
'Rewilding' The Stray
In 2021, Harrogate Borough Council sparked a local debate about rewilding when it allowed parts of the Stray to grow naturally.
The council’s parks team left grass verges close to the roadside uncut until late autumn. Some residents welcomed the move, others thought it made the Stray look untidy.
The council then worked with local conservation groups to plant thousands of wildflower plugs between the Empress Roundabout and the Prince of Wales roundabout and down by the railway line.
We are currently in #NoMowMay - a movement started by the charity Plantlife which calls on all garden owners and green space managers not to mow during May – 'liberating your lawns and providing a space for nature'.
North Yorkshire Council, which now has responsibility for the Stray's maintenance, has not gone as far as to stop mowing all public green spaces for a month.
Samatha Mennell said NYC could do more:
Have you tried to rewild your garden? Or taken part in #NoMowMay? Send us your images and tell us how you've found the experience. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
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