Come and explore the mysteries of the natural world

Press release issued: 3 June 2008

Bristol University has organised a number of events for people of all ages as part of its involvement in the UK’s biggest celebration of the natural world, Bristol’s Festival of Nature.

Bristol University has organised a number of events for people of all ages as part of its involvement in the UK’s biggest celebration of the natural world, Bristol’s Festival of Nature. The event takes place this weekend [Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June] in Millennium Square, Harbourside, Bristol.

In the Discover! Tent, Dr Fiona Gill from the School of Chemistry, will be presenting, throughout the weekend, a children’s game called ‘Who Dung it?’ Based on the board game Cluedo, children will be able to investigate a fossilised dung specimen to determine the age, location and diet of the animal who produced it and then identify the culprit from a list of animal suspects.

Remmert Schouten, from the Department of Earth Sciences, will have a display on dinosaurs in the Science Now! Tent. People will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Bristol Dinosaur Project’s aim of reconstructing Thecodontosaurus antiquus, one of the world’s oldest dinosaurs, in Reconstruction of the Bristol dinosaur.

Matt Fortnam also from Earth Sciences, will have a display in the Science Now! Tent, promoting the EcoJam website. Supported by the University and Bristol City Council, the website is dedicated to raising the profile of local green businesses, organisations and community initiatives and connecting them with each other and people from the Bristol region.

The Botanic Garden’s exhibit will focus on plants grown to illustrate plant evolution over the past 500 million years and research work explaining the evolutionary relationships of local whitebeam trees unique to the Avon Gorge. Rare conifers, cycads and orchids will also be on display together with an exhibition illustrating the development of the Botanic Garden at its new home in Stoke Bishop. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and the Curator, Nick Wray will explain about the vision for the new garden and its development so far.

Members of the public will be able to take part in a variety of discussions with members of the University in the Science Now! Tent. Dr Joy Singarayer, Ian Ross and Dr Tamsin Edwards from the School of Geographical Sciences, will be discussing global warming and the evidence for climate change. Dr Alex Anesio, also from Geographical Sciences, will be discussing his research on microbial life in ecosystems on, under and even within glaciers. Dr Richard Pancost, from the School of Chemistry, will be discussing how life can survive in environments as hot as 100°C. And Dr Andy Ridgwell, Geographical Sciences, and Daniella Schmidt, Earth Sciences, will explain why the oceans are becoming more acidic and what that could mean for marine life.

Dr Richard Pancost, Bristol University’s representative for Festival of Nature and co-ordinator of the Science Now! Tent, said: “The Festival is the flagship event of the Bristol Natural History Consortium and brings together a range of fun and educational activities, with something aimed at every age group. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Festival.”

The events are open to all and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information and a programme of events visit: www.festivalofnature.org.

Further information

The Bristol Festival of Nature is a consortium between At-Bristol, Avon Wildlife Trust, BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Wildscreen and WWF-UK. The Consortium reflects Bristol's reputation as a leading centre for the understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Please contact Joanne Fryer for further information.