Home / Events / UWE BDAS Lectures: Can a new national forest transform our region? Join us at Festival of Nature

UWE BDAS Lectures: Can a new national forest transform our region? Join us at Festival of Nature

Event date: 10 June @6:00pm-9:00pm
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Trees are transformational, and our region has a bold mission ahead: to create one of England’s new national forests. Can it be done, and what will the benefits be for communities, wildlife, and businesses?

Join us for this BDAS in collaboration with the Festival of Nature.

Hosted by Professor Darren Reynolds, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at UWE Bristol, the event brings together leading voices working across conservation, research, and regional planning:

John Everitt, CEO, The National Forest
Jamie Audsley, Director, Western Forest
Leah McNally, CEO, Avon Wildlife Trust
Chiara Lodi, Research Manager, Black Southwest Network.

What you’ll gain:

Understanding of the vision for a new national forest and what it could mean in practice
Insight into the environmental, social, and economic benefits of landscape restoration
Awareness of how inclusive approaches can ensure communities benefit fairly
Inspiration on how local action and national ambition can create greener, healthier places

We’re proud to be part of the Festival of Nature 2026, the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, running 6–14 June with 160+ events across Bristol, Bath, and online.

We hope you will join us at this inspiring event as we look to shape greener, healthier places for future generations.

How to create a Forest

Wednesday 10th June 2026, 18:00-21:00

Register today and save your spot at the Watershed or online

Book your place

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