Sussex Festival of Nature

Breeze up to the Sussex Festival of Nature and celebrate our  Biosphere

The annual Sussex Festival of Nature on Sunday 22nd June 2014 11am – 5pm  is a celebration this year of becoming a new UNESCO World biosphere site.

The event is set at beautiful Stanmer Park within the South Downs National Park and this year people can avoid car- parking charges and beat the queues with free or half price bus travel.

The event, organised by Brighton & Hove City Council with the South Downs National Park and the National Trust, is expected to attract nature lovers from across Sussex. As well as lots of things for the whole family to do, there will be a chance to find out more about the new Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere.

Councillor Pete West, Chair of Brighton & Hove’s Environment and Sustainability committee, said: “The Sussex Festival of Nature is an opportunity to have a wonderful day out, find out more about the local environment and celebrate our success at gaining UNESCO Biosphere status which will bring nature, people and knowledge together. The Biosphere is all about putting a spotlight on the unique combination of downland, city and sea we have on our doorstep. 

"I’ve always been struck by the pride in local people have in our special environment, so I’m delighted that we’ve been granted what I see as the natural equivalent of a world heritage site and that it will be celebrated at the Sussex Festival of Nature.

“It’s about more than just the green spaces over in the national park, and mitigating against climate change - but also about increasing biodiversity within our city for all our benefit. We’re already encouraging wildlife in our parks and green spaces for example but our ongoing work and the attention this award brings will attract visitors and investment to our region.

“Biosphere status adds to our ambitious work on sustainability as the world’s first One Planet City. But it also gives us the opportunity to raise more awareness about our environment locally, puts us on the world map as a place to visit and invest, and it opens the door to attracting more funding to the city.

“Our Biosphere will help everyone learn about and enjoy the wealth of nature on our doorsteps, and set us up for exciting opportunities ahead.”

The event features;

festival market selling locally sourced produce
birds of prey

sheep shearing

heavy horses

Biosphere games
food court
bar
family activities
and much more!

The Sussex Festival of Nature is a dog-friendly event.

For more information about the Sussex Festival of Nature visit the website  www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/sussex-festival-nature

For timetables and more information on bus services, visit the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company website www.buses.co.uk.

Free or half-price bus tickets are available to travel to the Sussex Festival of Nature - go to www.southdowns.gov.uk/festivalofnature  to download your vouchers. 

Ends.