Natural England

Natural England, the nation's environmental champion, is inviting people to go wild at a city garden party in Hull later this week.

To celebrate the wonders of Britain’s natural world, Natural England is hosting the garden party – one of a series taking place across the country - at the BBC’s Springwatch festival in the city centre on June 8 and 9.

Children can make their own ‘bug bling’ jewellery and join a fairy crown workshop in a mystical yurt at the Natural England stand on King Edward Street.

Peter Nottage, Natural England’s Regional Director said:
"Getting up close to England’s natural world is fun, exciting and easier than you might think - you don’t have to trek out into the wilderness to do it. England’s gardens are some of the wildest places on the planet. With a little hard work and patience, you can create your own wildlife garden in ten easy steps. Come down to the Natural England garden party in Hull, and find out how".

Natural England is laying on a range of activities to suit all ages:

• Try your hand at making 'bug bling' jewellery
• Build your own bird feeder
• Pot up a range of summer blooms
• Get your face painted like your favourite garden beastie
• Test your green knowledge with an interactive quiz
• Get expert advice on making your garden a haven for wildlife and a great place to play
• Join a Fairy Crown workshop in a mystical yurt marquee.

Kick off your shoes and join the wildest party in town.

To find out more visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/breathingplaces

Notes for editors:

1. Breathing Places events are taking place in cities across England

• Hull, City Centre – 8/9th June
• Manchester, Angel Meadows – 9th June
• Peterborough, City Park - 10th June
• Plymouth, Armada Way – 9th June
• Gateshead, Blaydon Burn – 9th June
• London, Newham – 9th June
• Newcastle, Leazes Park - 9/10th June
• Birmingham Cannon Hill Park – 9/10th June
• Brighton, Stanmer Park – 10th June
• Southampton, Southampton Common – 10th June
• Norwich – 16th June
• Derby, Osmaston Park, - 24th June

2. Contact with the natural environment improves children's mental and physical health

• A child's self discipline can be improved by 20% by simply having views of trees and vegetation outside their homes.
• Children are more likely to play in a green environment than on hard tarmac and at school this can reduce bullying.
• Obesity levels for children aged 6 have doubled in the last 10 years, and have tripled in 15 year olds. 22% of adults are obese and about 40% are overweight. Being overweight or obese accounts for as much as 30% of heart disease and 80% of diabetes and costs the UK £2.5 billion a year.

3. Contact with the natural environment brings benefits to communities also.

• Aggression and domestic violence is less likely in low-income families with views or access to natural green space.
• Crime rates are lower in tower blocks with more natural green space than identical tower blocks with no surrounding vegetation.
• Studies have shown the presence of vegetation can halve the incidence of violent and property crimes in otherwise identical public housing blocks with randomly allocated tenants.

4. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For further information contact the Yorkshire and Humber Natural England communications team -
Howard Botting on 01609 767439 howard.botting@naturalengland.org.uk Emma MacDonald on 0113 2469222 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk

Issued on behalf of Natural England by the Government News Network Yorkshire and the Humber, tel 0113 341 3180.

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk