
17, July 2024
Culture Forager, Vol. 9
Welcome to Volume 9 of Culture Forager! We’ve been foraging away again to uncover the best Nature-related cultural happenings. Tuck into this fresh crop of things to see, read and do this summer.
The Exhibition

Through interactive and immersive exhibits, audio, film and natural history collections, Wild explores human beings’ relationship with Nature. This new exhibition examines how people including Aboriginal elders, researchers and community activists are ‘creating, rebuilding and repairing’ connections with the natural world, to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. It aims to prompt visitors to consider their own relationship with Nature. We recommend combining with a visit to the museum’s vivarium, which cares for and conserves rare reptiles and amphibians, some critically endangered.
Manchester Museum, until 1st June 2025, FREE
The Book

In case you missed the rare blooming of the titan arum at Kew Gardens last month, here’s a book about another flower famed for both its stature and stench. Pathless Forest: The Quest to Save the World’s Largest Flowers by Dr Chris Thorogood tells of his mission to track down and save the endangered Raffelsia, A.K.A. ‘the stinking corpse lily’ (pictured above). From a childhood obsession that saw him making life-size models of the mysterious blooms in an abandoned cemetery, to battling through remote wilderness to save them from deforestation, it’s a fascinating and inspiring story.
Penguin Books, available now in hardback from all good bookshops, to pre-order in paperback, or online in e-book and audio formats.
The Films

Recently, we were proud to support the first episode of original miniseries Outside With Lira x Earth Minutes. These three short films, presented by ‘Croydon’s David Attenborough’, Lira Valenica, explore her personal connection to Nature and investigate some of the physical and social barriers faced by urban communities when it comes to accessing the natural world. Join Lira as she grabs her lip gloss, mirror and binoculars, discusses the healing power of Nature and discovers abundant flora and fauna in the most unexpected places. Read our Marketing Executive Ellie’s behind the scenes account of her day filming with Lira here.
Watch the series on Earth Minutes’ Youtube Channel, FREE.
The Activity

If you’re going for a walk in Nature, why not do your bit for the natural world while you’re there? Summer is peak season for Himalayan balsam, a beautiful but invasive plant that’s taking over native flowers on the UK’s riverbanks. It grows rapidly, and its exploding seed pods and proximity to waterways mean it spreads easily, too. The most effective, non-chemical way of tackling the tall plants is to manually pull them up or cut them, an activity known as ‘balsam bashing’. It’s a surprisingly relaxing way to spend a few hours – and the perfect excuse to spend some time exploring your local riverside or marshlands.
Various locations, FREE. Search for events near you online – The Conservation Volunteers is a great place to start.
The Festival
As well as a stellar music line-up including Loyle Carner, Four Tet and LCD Soundsystem, Bristol festival Forwards has a section dedicated to thought-provoking discussion. The Information area will host panels including Soliphilia: Inclusive Access to Nature, EarthPercent: It’s Not That Radical – Climate Action to Transform Our World and Rising Arts Agency: Taking a Stand – The Power of Being an Ethical Brand (featuring our very own Brand Director, Simeon Rose). Held on the scenic Clifton Downs, Forwards is billed as ‘A music festival in Bristol, for the future’ and has a strong focus on sustainability – more on that here.
Clifton Downs, 31st August and 1st September 2024. Ticket information, including details of a low-income option here.