Your Natural History Talks are Returning

Ready to inspire you this winter, after a two-year wait, in-person NHSN Talks returned on Monday 3 October

Since 1854, NHSN has held public natural history talks sharing research, news, and exciting discoveries about the natural world. Talks once took place in the Hancock Museum, now in Newcastle University’s Curtis Auditorium they bring together enthusiasts across the North East to learn about and enjoy the natural world.

In 2020, the pandemic meant that face-to-face talks were no longer possible. Instead, talks were shared online for you to enjoy. We know many of you enjoyed these but know too that lots of you missed coming together in person. Now, we’re excited to announce that your talks will be returning to in-person talks this autumn with a few exciting changes made possible by your support.

Monday evenings

You said, we listened. We know that Friday is not the best night of the week for lots of people and following a survey of NHSN members and students, we’ll be moving talks to Monday evenings. This will help share North East nature with more people than ever before.

Where better to host a historic programme of talks than Newcastle University’s grandest lecture hall, the Curtis Auditorium? This is a fantastic room with excellent sound quality and great access to public transport. Seating over 300 people, there’ll be lots of space to spread out. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Gordon Port, NHSN Chair

What’s coming up ?

As more exciting talks are added, we’ll update the table below ensuring you’re kept up to date with the latest announcements. For more information, please click on the links below but there is no need to book.

Monday 7 November	18.29 – Conserving the Crocodiles of Belize, with Ellie Coleman, Natural History Society of Northumbria 19.00 – Life in Antarctica: Two Years in the Great White South, with Tony Keville, formerly of the British Antarctic survey.
Monday 14 November	18.29 – Integrating trees into farmland in Northumberland, with Eleanor Moore, Newcastle University. 19.00 – Pollinators in the City, with Rinke Vinkenoog, Northumbria University
Monday 21 November	18.29 – Trade-offs Between Coral Traits, with Liam Lachs, Newcastle University. 19.00 – Chips with Everything – The Making of a Nature Reserve, with Peter Matthewson, local naturalist.
Monday 28 November	18.29 – Pearl Mussels in Northumberland, with Ben Strachen, Environment Agency 19.00 – What Makes Ferns Special? with Mary Gibby, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Shared online too

Many of you enjoyed catching up with NHSN Talks online. To ensure you have the best of both worlds, we’ll be recording all our talks for YouTube too. These will be published around one week after the talk, ensuring you’re able to catch up at a time which works for you.

From national names such as Lee Schofield, author of the popular Wild Fell, to passionate naturalists rooted in the North East, there are lots to look forward to. With talks on Lynx, ferns, Lindisfarne, Antarctic exploration, and breeding Goldeneye already confirmed, each week promises something inspiring. Thank you so much to NHSN’s Specialist Group Coordinators for organising such fantastic talks.

Clare Freeman, NHSN Director

1829 Talks

Delivered by passionate students and practitioners and named after the year NHSN was founded, your 1829 Talks are returning too. These short talks share exciting research from early-career naturalists. Join us at the earlier time of 18.29 to meet the fresh faces making waves in wildlife conservation and ecology. These will also be uploaded to YouTube.