Find out what’s on in Birmingham this month!
Wildlife Walking Group
Every Tuesday
Meet at Bartley Green Library for a fun and friendly walk along the green corridor alongside Bartley Brook. Along the way, identify birds and other wildlife and finish with a brew at the library. The walk is a 2km circular route on paved surfaces and is mostly flat. All levels and abilities welcome.
Wildlife Walks
Every Wednesday
Join the The Conservation Volunteers every Wednesday morning at their Queen Elizabeth Hospital community grow space for a weekly nature walk around the site! Discover the large diversity of wildlife, including a variety of different birds, butterflies, moths and other insects. Then spend a couple of hours gardening, growing and tending to fruits and vegetables in the community grow space!
Bird ID Walk & Food Growing
Every Friday
Join the The Conservation Volunteers every Friday at Rowheath Pavilion for a Bird ID walk, and to sow, grow, and harvest your own food at their growing space. Not only will you learn about the joys of growing your own food but you will also make new friends and improve your health and wellbeing.
Bird Watching for Beginners @RSPB Sandwell Valley
Tuesday 1st October
Join RSPB volunteers on an easy monthly walk around the reserve, whether you are new to birdwatching or just want to discover more about wildlife at the reserve, the team will give you tips on getting started, point out the different birds, how to identify them and how the seasons bring different changes to the valley.
Eco Gym
Thursday 3rd October
A free nature based volunteering session – get moving with a variety of tasks that will give your local green space a helping hand. Meet new people who share a passion for being outdoors and staying active. Soak up the benefits that fresh air and green space have on our mental health. You’ll carry out seasonal conservation tasks, with a mixture of gentle and more strenuous activities depending on your energy levels.
Wasteland with Oliver Franklin-Wallis
Saturday 5th October
A Birmingham Literature Festival Event – “What does it mean to ‘throw things away’ and where do they go? Following journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis around the world, from the landfills of New Delhi to the second-hand clothing markets of Ghana and the overflowing sewers of Britain, Wasteland reveals the dirty truth about the global waste crisis. A long-ignored problem, waste is now clogging our rivers, oceans, deserts and even orbiting the earth. Taking testimony from the people on the frontline of our waste crisis, Wasteland examines the exploitation of the global waste industry and the corporate green washing of the recycling movement, alongside hopeful stories from the heroic people trying to create a less wasteful world.”
Guided Pond Dipping @ RSPB Sandwell Valley
Saturday 5th October
RSPB expert volunteers will be on hand to help you discover pond minibeasts, how to identify them and the best way to use pond dipping equipment. The event is suitable for families with children up to 12 years old, but any age can join in.
Nature Tots @ Parkridge
Friday 11th October
A weekly Nature Tots session inviting children and parents to explore, enjoy and appreciate the nature and wildlife around us, with stories, wildlife themed activities, games and free play.
Wildlife Watch After School Club @ Parkridge
Friday 11th October
One Friday a month throughout the year, spend an hour heading outdoors into the natural world of the Parkridge reserve to explore, learn new skills, play games and maybe even make some new friends! The session is aimed at ages 4 to 11 years.
Voluntary Litter Pick of the JQ Cemeteries
Saturday 12th October
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help clean up our beautiful cemeteries in the Jewellery Quarter. This is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the environment.
Mysterious Bats and Beasts Autumn Trail @RSPB Sandwell Valley
Saturday 12th October
Head to RSPB Sandwell Valley this Autumn and discover some magical wildlife on their fun family trail. Hunt for hidden bats, create your own sticky spider web and conjure up some spooky nature spells. The trail is aimed at children up to 13 years old but any age can take part.
Beginners Foraging Walk
Saturday 12th October
A ‘beginner friendly’ walk exploring the wild food that grows all around us – gain knowledge of wild foods, their historic uses and folklore surrounding them.
Short Foraging Walk for Beginners
Sunday 13th October
A 1-2 hour foraging walk in Stirchley, Birmingham. The walk will look at common wild plants with edible or medicinal uses, historical uses and poisonous lookalikes aimed at beginners and helping you to get started in the world of foraging.
MAKE IT MEND IT
Tuesday 15th October
Make It Mend It is a monthly drop-in craft and mending café for anyone wanting to learn how to fix, mend, upcycle or repair items and objects. Free materials. Free refreshments. Drop in between 6 pm and 8 pm.
Nature Crafts for Adults
Thursday 17th October
A relaxed nature inspired arts and crafts session, in the beautiful War Memorial Park, with bottomless tea and coffee!
Fabulous Fungi, Guided Walk @ RSPB Sandwell Valley
Saturday 19th October
Lead by a local expert, you will be on the hunt for any fungi you can spot around the RSPB reserve. You will finish by warming up again in the visitor centre with a hot chocolate. 16+ years only.
Climate Café
Sunday 20th October
Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth jointly present Climate Café, a space to learn about environmental issues and solutions to them. Join a different expert every month for tea, coffee, cake, and the opportunity to hear what they have to say for 30 minutes, followed by a chance to stay to chat and share ideas if you would like.
People, Planet, Pint™: Sustainability Meetup
Thursday 24th October
A meetup to find more about what’s going on locally with sustainability. Start your journey or continue learning, and meet diverse people to chat about life and how we can sustain it. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your experience or background. People Planet Pint is a space where everyone can feel comfortable learning about sustainability and sharing their ideas.
Forest Bathing
Saturday 26th October
Experience the magic of slowing down to “Forest Time”, and discover lasting joy, creativity and calm. Forest Bathing is a set of mindfulness practices and fun activities designed to calm the nervous system, awaken the senses, and bring us into meaningful relationship with the web of life. It has been scientifically proven to have health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, reduction in stress hormones, improved sleep and reduced levels of anxiety, depression and anger.
Taster Foraging Workshop
Saturday 26th October
A 2-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a walk in Sutton Coldfield. You will identify, pick and taste a range of wild species that will be found on the day. There will also be samples of wild food and drink for everyone to try! The focus of the workshop will be on the 4 ‘F’s of Foraging: Fungi, Fruit, Flowers and Foliage. The workshop is for anyone looking for a brief but informative introduction to the wonderful world of foraging.
Film Showing of “Heart Of An Oak”
Sunday 27th October
This poetic and beautiful documentary follows a year in the life of a majestic, 210-year-old oak tree and its many inhabitants, exploring the immensely rich universe thriving beneath its branches. Featuring a unique cast including squirrels, birds, ants and mice, and packed with humour, joy and heart-in-your-mouth action, this remarkably unique feature offers a fascinating insight into the heart of a buzzing, vibrant, eco-system, completely immersing the viewer into the heart of a tree.
Wild Autumn Halloween Party @ RSPB Sandwell Valley
Thursday 31st October
An autumnal family fun event with spooky story telling, creepy crafts, haunted den building and tasty treats over a campfire! The event is suitable for families with children up to 14 years old, but any age can join in.
Hosting an event that you want showcased in our monthly guides? Message us on Instagram or drop us an email to sustainabrum@gmail.com and we’ll add it to our list!