KEY figures and organisations are coming together for a major North-East conference aimed at shaping the future of nature and the environment.

The Tees Nature Conference, which takes place at Darlington Hippodrome Theatre on June 30, is being described as “the most important nature event taking place in the Tees Valley this year”.

The free all-day conference, co-hosted by the Tees Valley Nature Partnership and the Your Tees Catchment Partnership, will ask the question: What Next For Tees Nature?

Keynote speakers will be nationally renowned botanist Dr. Margaret Bradshaw MBE, and nine-year-old award-winning environmentalist Tristan Anderson.

Dr Bradshaw has devoted much of her professional career to the study and conversation of rare plants in Upper Teesdale.

Read more: Waking up to the catastrophe that is unfolding in the wilds of Teesdale

Tristan, from Sedgefield, is known as ‘Enviro-Kid’ runs his own YouTube channel and digital magazine devoted to his passion for promoting green issues.

The conference comes at a critical time, with the Government recently launching its Environmental Improvement Plan – aimed at “building a greener, more prosperous country" – and water companies announcing a £1.6bn investment in cleaning up our rivers.

Tees Valley Nature Partnership Manager, Rachel Murtagh, said: “With climate change and biodiversity becoming more important by the day, the conference is an opportunity to bring a range of partner organisations together to build collaboration, understanding and shared learning.

“The day promises to be interactive, informative and inspirational, and it’s all about everyone pulling together in the interests of nature.

“How do we make the most of our natural environment – do the best we can for wildlife, extend habitats, and create more wetlands? We want to take everyone with us on the journey, so the message is ‘come on board.’”

The annual conference was launched in 2017 and was held virtually during the pandemic. Last year, the Tees Valley Nature Partnership hosted a national conference at Ormesby Hall when Natural England launched the first Nature Recovery Network Delivery Partnership.

This year’s event will be the first time the Tees Nature Conference has been held in Darlington, and will feature an impressive line-up of expert speakers, workshops, and stalls. Lunch will also be provided and there will be an opportunity for delegates to go for a walk to see the green spaces around the River Skerne.

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Programme Manager of the Discover Brightwater Landscape Partnership, Paul Black, who will be one of the speakers, said: “This is a crucial time with lots of changes to legislation and funding for agriculture and the environment. This conference provides the region with a portal to find out what’s happening, and to have a voice in shaping future strategies.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the most important environmental event of the year in the Tees Valley. There is nothing else on this scale, and that’s why Discover Brightwater is keen to be a supporter.”

Invitations are being sent to a wide range of individuals, groups, and businesses with links to the environment, but a limited number of places can also be booked by going to www.rebrand.ly/TNP or by emailing tvnp@teeswildlife.org. The conference will also be live-streamed.