Updates / News

Nature Festival releases full 2021 program

Nature Festival, returning to South Australia from the 25th of September to the 4th of October, has released its full program of events featuring an expansive array of talks, exhibitions, nature walks, workshops, bird watching and nature poetry to name only a few.

Highlights from the 2021 program include a series of free events exploring the city’s diverse birdlife. Delivered alongside the Adelaide City Council, there will be guided tours around the city’s best parks for birdwatching. For those a little more experimental, Karrawirra Pari Immersive Experience is an educational augmented reality tour of Adelaide’s River Torren learning about the river’s history, meaning and purpose.

For kids there is the Pigeon Workshop with sculptor of the now-famous Rundle Mall pigeon mural Paul Sloan, who will uncover the secrets behind his pigeon sculpture while the kids get messy with a range of fun art activities. Children will also get to enjoy an ornithological lab at the South Australian Museum, and artworks at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

For those fond of exploring the State by foot there will be tours happening across the festival, including the unique Southern Parklands Nature by Night Tour, which will explore the unique and wonderful world that comes to life in our Parklands after dark. Where Earth and Sky Meet is a guided tour of The Barossa Bush Garden, taking in the spectacular and rare native garden, or experience a tour in Adelaide’s Botanic Park and wonder at the magnificent Flying-fox colony as they fly-out at dusk.

For those looking for a deeper connection there is, Nature and the Spiral Connection; slow down and immerse yourself in experiences connecting the spiral form, nature, and the labyrinth path, creating a sacred and special space where time slows down and the potential for growth and change is present.

The Mangrove-inspired Labyrinth Walk, will be a mindful walk on a distinctive pop-up labyrinth alongside the mangroves at Garden Island, offering participants a unique insight into the intrinsic beauty of mangroves in a once-off experience.

For something that can be used in the kitchen there is the Gawler Environment Centre’s, Food Underfoot. Embark on a walk to discover which weeds are useful in the kitchen and how to prepare them safely. If eating weeds isn’t for you, maybe learn the ancient art of string making and then how to make a simple basket from weeds in the surrounds of the beautiful McLaren Vale with Weaving with Weeds.

For those who want to experience the joys of the Nature Festival but aren’t too keen on braving the elements in walks and camping there are several other unique experiences to be enjoyed sitting down! Some events include a Nature Poetry Slam at Carrick Hill, Butterfly Theatre Company’s, Shakespeare in the Park, and a Nature Writing Workshop at Stangate House and Garden.

Curator Jill Woodlands is proud of the vast array of events included in the program.

“At Nature Festival, first and foremost we want to celebrate the nature around us and we are aware just how broad that term is and just how many ways there is to do that. The event holders have really come to the table and put on so many unique events around the state; there is just so much to enjoy.”

“We are really excited about the number of events we have happening right in the centre of the city as it’s a place where I suspect a lot of people don’t realise their daily connection to nature. Nature is all around us and we’re so fortunate in Adelaide to have places like the parklands and the River Torrens in such close proximity to the CBD.”

“Obviously, the current pandemic has made a tumultuous time for events but what the pandemic has solidified in all of us is the importance to get out there and connect with nature and that’s one of the many reasons we feel so passionate about putting on this event in this time- we want to make sure people don’t forget the influence nature has on us and the solace and rewards it offers especially when times are tough.”

For more information and to explore the complete Nature Festival 2021
program: naturefestival.org.au

NATURE FESTIVAL

25 September – 4 October

Further information: naturefestival.org.au

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Wherever and whenever we walk, we acknowledge and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the land.