Just the ticket for wildlife fans

The first ever WildlifeXpo will take place at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October 2011. The Wildlife Trusts are urging those with an interest in wildlife to make the most of the chance to celebrate the natural world and find out how they can help protect it. Those going from Wales are able to choose the Wildlife Trust they wish to support.

• Exercise your green fingers
As part of an exciting combination of exhibitors, lectures and workshops, The Wildlife Trusts’ stands (15, 17 and 19) will be encouraging entries to the Big Wildlife Garden competition. This national competition - run by The Wildlife Trusts and the RHS with funding from Defra - is open to all, free to enter and aims to inspire everyone to take action and turn their gardens into wildlife havens. Prizes include a wildlife gardening masterclass at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The Wildlife Trusts will be offering the chance to sign up online at the stand.

Paul Wilkinson, Head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The UK’s wildlife is under pressure from loss of habitat. But, we can all make a difference by gardening with wildlife in mind. Those who want to play a role in becoming a guardian for nature can find out more about the Big Wildlife Garden competition at WildlifeXpo.”

• Support our sea life
It’s not only wildlife on land which needs support and protection, and The Wildlife Trusts will also be collecting signatures for their Petition Fish. Next year should see the UK’s first network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) designated by Government. In order for our amazing marine wildlife, from seahorses and starfish to sea anemones, to be properly protected, it is vital that we have enough of these areas and that they are large enough.

Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of Living Seas, said: “We have one year to create a strong network of protected areas for marine wildlife in the UK. One year to demonstrate the importance of healthy, well-protected seas. If you would like to pledge your support for the UK’s marine life, please do take a second to sign Petition Fish at WildlifeXpo.”

• A chance to experience London’s wildlife
Those inspired to experience nature outdoors can do so on Friday and Saturday with London Wildlife Trust (stand 1). It has a schedule of regular activities on offer, including tree and bird walks around Alexandra Palace, a North London nature trail and fungi forays. Deputy Chief Executive Mathew Frith will give a lecture on London: a wild place.

• Conservation benefits
Conservation is a key focus for WildlifeXpo. From each ticket sold, £2 will go to The Wildlife Trusts, helping to conserve UK wildlife. Each visitor is able to specify which of the 47 Wildlife Trusts they would like their donation to go to.

Don’t miss…

• The Wildlife Trusts’ lecture Protecting Wildlife for the Future in the Panorama Room at 10.30am on Friday 14 October with Paul Wilkinson
• David Lindo, The Urban Birder’s talk on A Year in Wormwood Scrubs, in the Panorama room at 11.30am on Saturday 15 October
• A talk on London: A Wild Place from Mathew Frith, deputy Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust in the Panorama Room on Friday 14 October at 2.30pm
• London Wildlife Trust’s guided walks and activities – see the WildlifeXpo website for a full schedule
• The chance to sign up for the Big Wildlife Garden competition or add your signature to Petition Fish at The Wildlife Trusts’ stand
• Celebrity lectures from The Wildlife Trusts’ Vice Presidents Nick Baker and Chris Packham. See the full lectures and awards schedule
• An exhibition of more than 70 of the winning and commended entries from the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards, including from The Wildlife Trusts’ Living Landscapes: Connectivity category

Powell Ettinger, chairman of WildlifeXpo, said: “With the growing public interest in wildlife conservation and an increasing desire to experience wildlife in the wild, both at home and abroad, we felt that a dedicated exhibition with expert advice and topical presentations would satisfy this need. Moreover, having it all under one roof at such a fabulous venue as Alexandra Palace makes it even more special.”