Natural World

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. Meet Henna Asikainen, the artist behind an installation that reinterprets this myth for the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse and displacement.

Join us for a special screening of the documentary film Rave on for the Avon, a powerful exploration of people’s deep connections to rivers, followed by a panel discussion.

Follow in the pioneering footsteps of volcanologist Tempest Anderson (1846-1913) as Tempest's Volcano Trail brings urban volcanology to the historic streets of York on this guided walk.

Take part in a guided walk and help us celebrate the launch of the reactivated University of York Campus Tree Trail.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Discover more about the life and legacy of pioneering volcanologist Tempest Anderson and learn about the latest research into volcanoes with Rebecca Williams of the University of Hull.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Mysterious, roguish and endlessly lovable. From ancient gods to witches' familiars, writer Charlie Creed explores the global folklore of our beloved feline friends.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Join the York St John Living Lab for an interactive panel on ecological justice and climate resilience designed to spark hopeful, holistic solutions.

Join historian Sadiah Qureshi of the University of Manchester as she explains that extinction is both a natural process and an unnatural human act.

Lost in Joyce? Postgraduate researcher Chris Wogan of the University of York reveals how you can use trees as your map, including for his most difficult texts, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Join us for an educational walk and some Himalayan balsam bashing. Help protect the important habitats on Fulford Ings by removing the invasive plant, minimising its spread across our watercourses and floodplains.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Step into the world of professional printmaking with Michelle Hughes and discover how she transforms the beauty of the British countryside and wildlife into striking linocut art.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Join our expert panel as they debate if it’s possible to imagine new spaces and places into existence in ways that are sympathetic to the needs of future generations while respecting our heritage and environment.

Join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust for a captivating event uncovering Askham Bog’s 15,000 year geological origins, its unique layers of ancient history and its status as one of the region’s most ecologically diverse wildlife havens.

In Finnish mythology, lintukoto describes a paradise-like place at the far edge of the world. This installation asks what lintukoto might mean in the Anthropocene - a time of ecological collapse, displacement and political instability.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Enjoy a unique event where storytellers from the Global Majority - who live, study or work in York - take centre stage to share their experiences with climate change, ecological shifts and resilience.

Come aboard and explore York’s rivers on a curated boat journey. See how flood resilience and natural flood management help people, wildlife and place.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Could board games help save the planet? From flooding to climate action, join us to find out how innovative games are addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Step aboard and explore how rail is enabling a cleaner, greener way to travel across the UK at our special Festival Focus event presented in partnership with train operator LNER.

Colin Beale of the University of York explores how protected areas safeguard our future, why every natural ‘church’ and ‘cathedral’ matters, and how we can collectively decide what to pass on to the next generation.

From smart clothing and climate resilience to lunar living, the scholars from the US-UK Fulbright Commission’s awards invite you to hear about their groundbreaking research in the UK on adapting to changing world(s).

Join our panel of experts as they decode the chemical cocktail in our waterways and share actionable steps we can all take to restore the health of our rivers.

Discover the wilder side of the University of York’s stunning Campus East with a multi-sensory workshop designed to reconnect you with the outdoors.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Rooted in South Indian musical traditions and informed by philosophical and ecological thought, Other Voices seeks to give voice to the voiceless - the flora and fauna of our planet - through an immersive soundscape.

What does the future hold for the trees in our towns and cities? Dive into Urban Labor-a Tree, a fast-paced strategy board game where you are the architect of a greener city.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Planetary health sees Earth as a living system. Pim Martens of Maastricht University explores why actively regenerating nature, not just doing less harm, is vital for human and non-human life.

Join Mumta Ito, author of the UK Nature's Rights Bill, and learn more about this bold legal framework that puts nature’s health first, ensuring our laws and economy work within the planet's limits, not against them.

Is pop megastar Taylor Swift an eco-icon or an environmental villain? Elly McCausland of Ghent University, Belgium, dives into the friction between the star’s massive carbon footprint and her ability to tackle ‘plant blindness’ through song.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Experience how new perspectives on a changing planet emerge from the fusion of old and new technologies - aerial kites and artificial intelligence – through a multimedia exhibition.

Experience an afternoon of poetry and music at St Nicks Nature Reserve as Jonathan Brockbank and Freya Sierhuis of the University of York explore the life and work of the Romantic poet John Clare.

Join campus wildlife expert Robin Perutz for a guided walk through the special habitats of the University of York and learn about the many species of flowers, birds and insects that call Campus East home.

Welcome to the Natural Health Service! In this interactive workshop, we will step into the great outdoors to discover the powerful impact on human health and wellbeing of spending time in our protected landscapes.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Want to help tackle climate change but don’t have the time to become a climate scientist? Our Climate Fresk workshop will teach you the fundamental science behind climate change and empower you to take action.

In the run up to the Space Summit in Paris this year, our panel of experts from France and the UK explores the scientific, geopolitical, security, environmental, and societal issues and challenges related to space exploration.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.

Discover the portraits of early modern astronomers, anatomists and natural historians, and explore how images shape scientific identity with Irina Tautschnig of the University of York.

Find out about a York community creative writing project that used ‘thrutopia’ fiction as an alternative to dystopian/doom-laden narratives about climate change.

Discover the hidden story of Yorkshire’s waterways at Confluence for Change, a thought-provoking multimedia exhibition revealing the silent crisis of chemical pollution in our rivers.