Secrets of the Heath 2018 review
October 5, 2018
Heathlands Reunited’s biggest event of the year Secrets of the Heath took place on the 8 and 9 September on Petersfield Heath. The weather was kind and more than 2,000 people came along.
Members of the partnership used their expertise to draw attention to opportunities on offer for recreation, education and relaxation on all of our heaths whilst also discussing the importance of Heathlands Reunited and the heaths’ specialist species.
Nature and heritage themed educational activities and entertainment, available for children and adults of all ages, included moth trapping and a very popular bat walk with The Sussex Wildlife Trust. The RSPB took children bug hunting to make new connections with nature. The Amphibian and Retile conservation trust stand was continuously three-people-deep, with people excited to meet the amphibians and reptiles of the heath. The National Trist bought along Hector and Heather to help explain why grazing is amazing. For the first year the local scout group also took over the catering for the event and managed to raise £1550 for the unit.
Our brand new Heathland themed colouring wall from Fancy Features, proved very popular with attendees of all ages, so much so nearly every inch had been coloured in by the Sunday evening. The colouring wall displays a historical timeline of heathland management helping to tell the story of the heath as it was coloured in.
This event was also a perfect opportunity to promote responsible dog ownership on heaths, through both our countryside dog ability challenge and our brand new ‘I Take the Lead’ pledge which launched last month