Keeping it Wild Collective: Pretty Weird! Creative Research Workshop

“Eurghhh!” 🫣We’re all guilty of thinking this when looking at some wildlife. It’s clear we warm more towards the pretty butterflies and cute birds over slugs, snails and other ‘creepy crawlies’🐌 . But what does this say about our willingness to protect the species labelled ‘ugly’?

In this creative research workshop we ask exactly that and open our eyes to the impact ‘pretty privilege’ can have on an ecosystem, through a range a of fun creative activities and challenges exploring our implicit bias. The outcomes will form part of workshop leader Farid’s research at University of the Arts London.

📅 Date: Saturday 18th October

⏰ Time: 12:00PM-3:00PM

📍 Meeting Point: Camley Street Nature Park, N1C 4PW ///good.lease.output

🙋‍♀️ Who can come: Young People ages 18-30

Please note: Due to the ethical requirements for this research, this event is just for those 18 and over.

What to expect

🌾 Understand how our biases can affect how we take action for nature, led by UAL researcher.

🔬Be a participant in a creative research project!

🔥 Let your creativity free designing posters and a campaign to change the narrative about unloved wildlife

🏡 Get the chance to explore Camley Street Natural Park – you might even spot the first signs of its Autumn fungi!

🗣️ Connect with like-minded people in nature

Why join us!

🍽️We'll provide snacks and drinks!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Bring someone new to nature and get a free coffee voucher to use at London Wildlife Trust cafes!

About Farid our event facilitator…

Farid (he/they) is a strategic designer and researcher, dedicated to shaping eco-social futures for collective flourishing. He has run playful, immersive workshops with local communities and organisations, alongside volunteering with charities and working as a UI/UX designer.

Completing his MA in Design for Social Innovation and Sustainable Futures, he is developing practice-based research in collaboration with communities to cultivate more just, inclusive, and imaginative relationships with the more-than-human world.

By attending this session, you’ll contribute to important academic research at University of the Arts London. Before participating, you’ll be asked to complete a brief ethics form to ensure we have your informed consent, and the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

How to get there

🚇 London Underground: King’s Cross St Pancras (7 minutes’ walk)

🚆 London Overground: Camden Road (15 minutes’ walk)

🚆 National Rail: King’s Cross and St Pancras International (7 minutes’ walk)

🚏 Bus: Chenies Place (Routes 46, 214) – Just 5 minutes’ walk away

🚗 Car: There is no parking at Camley Street Nature Reserve, please use public transport where possible

Accessibility

The area around the new visitor centre and main path down to the pond dipping platform has accessible surfaces, whilst other footpaths around the site are surfaced in woodchip. The visitor centre is fully accessible, including an accessible toilet. There are steep steps with handrails at the southern end of the site lead to the viewpoint on the canal. We can create a fully step-free route around the reserve.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please get in touch with us at youth@wildlondon.org.uk

The delivery of the Keeping it Wild Collective is made possible by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.