ACROSS the Vale, the future of nature depends on all of us seeing our towns, villages, coast, countryside, parks and gardens as part of one connected landscape.
Whether we are involved in protecting coastal habitats, planting for pollinators, volunteering with a local group or simply learning more about the wildlife around us, each small action helps build a stronger future for nature.
The Vale Nature Festival 2026, taking place on Saturday, 18th July, from 11am to 4pm at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is an event organised by the Vale Nature Partnership which brings together people and organisations to highlight nature. The free, family-friendly festival is a chance to celebrate the amazing nature we still have in the Vale, while also learning practical ways to support wildlife on our own doorsteps.
The Partnership exists to halt the loss of biodiversity, protect and restore existing habitats, create new ones, and help more people understand why local wildlife is worth protecting. It also supports volunteering, offers expertise to nature-based projects, advises on conservation action and encourages joined-up working so that efforts across towns, villages, coast, countryside and community spaces can have a greater impact.
Visitors to the festival can expect interactive stalls from local organisations and community groups, citizen science activities, live storytelling, hands-on nature sessions, creative crafts and opportunities to meet people already working to restore habitats and inspire action. For families, it is a welcoming day out; for anyone curious about wildlife, it is an invitation to get involved. Last year’s festival attracted more than 1,000 people to Cosmeston Lakes.
Everyone is warmly encouraged to come along and be part of this year’s Vale Nature Festival. Whether you stay for an hour or spend the full day, your presence helps strengthen the growing movement for nature across the Vale.
Cosmeston Lakes is a beautiful setting — and on 18th July it will be alive with ideas, inspiration and community. I hope to see you there.
The views expressed by columnists of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Glamorgan Star, its employees or its proprietors.
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