Halton Nature Watch
Welcome to Halton Nature Watch! We are bringing people, schools, and nature together across the borough to celebrate the incredible wildlife right on our doorstep. Whether you are a curious student, a budding photographer, or a passionate resident, explore our upcoming events and find out how you can dive into our Year of the Invertebrate!
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What is Halton Nature Watch?
Halton Nature Watch started with a simple idea from Naomi at Animal Teach: What if we could help our local community see the incredible, buzzing world right beneath our feet?
Today, it has grown into an exciting joint project. We have brought together the teaching and zoological expertise of Animal Teach, the creative eye of Hazlehurst Studios, and the ecological knowledge of Halton Borough Council’s Environment Services. Together, we are heading out into local schools and communities to swap the classroom for the great outdoors, spark a bit of wonder, and show the next generation why our local spaces are worth protecting.
Say hello to the Year of the Invertebrate!
This year, we are celebrating our invertebrates—which is just a scientific word for animals without a backbone. They make up a whopping 97% of all animal species on Earth!
From crunchy beetles and shelled snails to squishy slugs and earthworms, our parks and gardens are teeming with them. They might be small, but these mini-beasts do the heavy lifting for our environment by pollinating plants, recycling waste, and keeping Halton’s soil healthy.
They are the quiet engine of our local ecosystem, and we are on a mission to show you how they work!
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What's been happening so far?
The Halton Nature Watch team has already been out and about hitting the ground running!
School Spotlight: Bridgewater Park Primary
The Halton Nature Watch team officially launched the programme with a full-day, hands-on session at Bridgewater Park Primary School, marking a brilliant first step in inspiring local children to connect with the natural world.
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Hands-on Workshops: Pupils from across the school took part in lively, curiosity-led sessions focused on invertebrates. For many children, it was their very first opportunity to safely observe and learn about these mini-beasts up close.
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The Team in Action: The day was delivered by the Council’s Environment Services Team in partnership with Naomi from Animal Teach, whose background as a teacher and zoologist really brought the science to life.
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Captured on Camera: The fantastic energy of the day was beautifully documented by photographer Lauren Quayle (you will be seeing lots of her lovely photographs across this project)
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Real-World Impact: School staff loved the inclusive approach, noting how it sparked massive enthusiasm and plenty of biodiversity discussions long after the sessions ended.
What's Next?
Naomi and Siobhan have also been working with Power in Partnership and are heading to another local school very soon! Keep your eyes on this space—they will be blogging about their thoughts, sharing feedback, and posting updates over the next few months.
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How can you join in?
We have a fantastic lineup of free community events throughout the year.
Festivals and Drop-In Events
No booking required—just turn up!
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June 6th & 7th | Halton Fest Launch (Runcorn Hill Park) - Come chat with us, discover our upcoming activities, and find out how to get involved.
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July 4th | Citizen Science Day (All Saints Church, Runcorn Old Town) - A day of hands-on discovery with Animal Teach, Hazlehurst Studios, and Environment Services.
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August 8th | Market Fest (Widnes Market) - Enjoy live music, community stalls, and learn about our Year of the Invertebrate.
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September 5th | Launch of Halton's Eco Fest! (All Saints Church, Runcorn Old Town)
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September 9th | Halton Eco Fest at Victoria Park Butterfly House (Widnes)
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September 13th | Celebrate the final day of Halton Eco Fest at Victoria Park Butterfly House (Widnes)
Snap and Social Guided Walks
Bring your phone or camera for a gentle nature stroll led by Hazlehurst Studios and Siobhan (Halton Borough Council's Ecologist). FREE, but booking is required as spaces are limited.
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July 11th – Phoenix Park to Norton Priory
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October 10th – The Bongs, Widnes (Autumn Walk)
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November 14th – Runcorn Hill Park (Heathland Exploration)
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December 12th – Pickering Pastures, Widnes (Festive Stroll)
Join the festival buzz and explore local urban nature.
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Follow Along
Don't miss a single update from the team! To follow our journey as we explore Halton's incredible environments, make sure to connect with the project partners on social media:
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Follow Hazlehurst Studios for event updates and creative highlights.
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Follow Animal Teach for a closer look at the wildlife and school workshops.
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Follow Halton Borough Council for local environmental initiatives and news.
Get Involved: If you attend any of our events or spot some cool invertebrates in your own back garden, please share your pictures across social media and use our official project hashtag:
#haltonnaturewatch
