Avon Wildlife Safari Day 22 - 3000 different species of tree all in one place!

Westonbirt Arboretum is a huge natural playground! Become a young adventurer on one of the natural play trails or in the under 5's play area 'Exploratree', take part in family events or download the self-led activities available for each season. During the summer holidays kids go free too so this is a great time to visit and learn about this wonderful natural environment.

photo: http://www.guide2bristol.com

This weekend there's a free (after general admission)  Water World event run by the RSPB for families which provides a great chance to see up close, what lives beneath the water.
It's not just the woodlands that provide a fantastic habitat for wildlife but the grasslands are full of wildflowers too. Between them they create a wonderful  environment for wildlife. The arboretum provides a habitat for the dormouse, a European Protected Species, 1,218 species of fungi and 136 species of moth, including the rare Mocha species. Westonbirt's tree collection includes 77 species that are declining, with 8 species that are classified as 'critical', 20 species that are'endangered'  and 49 species that are classified as 'vulnerable'. There's even a 2000 year old small leaved lime, Tilia cordata, possibly one of the oldest living things in Britain and a new sculpture by artist Richard Harris.

Image of Richard Harris sculpture from Friends of Westonbirt blog