Building a Nature Alliance: Reconnecting people to local nature and food

Thursday 16th October 2025 | 6-10pm | All welcome

Marley won funding from Essex County Council's Extraordinary Essex Art Commission for a bold documentary on the importance of community-supported and regenerative agriculture across Essex. You can watch a trailer here: Film Trailer

Folowing a screening of this film Owen Middleton (Ecologist and Biodiversity Consultant), will curate a conversation exploring how we might build a local nature alliance with:

Marley Karazimba, filmmaker, farmer and multi-media artist

Jo Roberts, CEO The Wilderness Foundation UK

Emma Gray, Director JE Tabor Farms and Coordinator of the North Essex Farm Cluster

Naomi Andrews, Business Manager Green Finance and Ecological Services ,The Essex Wildlife Trust

We will explore themes including:

Nature reconnection

Why is it so important to reconnect people to local nature and food systems?

Is this a current priority for the local council or local businesses?

Role of larger-scale farming

What are the similarities and differences with larger-scale farming systems who are transforming and diversifying their approach?

Opportunities and barriers

How difficult is it to scale these sustainable food and nature recovery systems and what are the barriers? (finances, volunteer time?)

Creating a network to scale - a ‘Nature Alliance’

How could we create a network to scale these initiatives - in terms of local policy and diverse forms of funding (e.g., from businesses)?

The evening will end with audience Q+A and an opportunity for informal socialising to continue the conversation. The Patch bar will be open before and after the film for drinks.

Spaces are limited so book early to secure your spot - come with a friend or come alone and join the conversation!

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