Description
Description
From wild landscapes and wetlands to our own back gardens, water is the basis of life on our planet. Following a summer of drought across the UK and predictions of a changeable climate, protecting your garden, and the wildlife that frequents it, from water scarcity has never been more important. In this webinar the National Garden Scheme and partnership charity the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) team up to provide practical tips and advice on adapting to drought, capturing rainwater and sustainable drainage solutions. There’ll also be expert advice on drought resistant planting from Lucy Redman, creative horticulturalist at Beth Chatto Gardens.
About Jackie Harris
Our first guest speaker is Jackie Harris from WWT. With 27 years spent in Local Government, Jackie became the Project Manager of a £6m Heritage Lottery project at WWT in 2016. This delivered eight new exhibits at Slimbridge that engage visitors in the stories of wetlands, the species that depend on them and the importance of wetlands for all life on earth. Following the completion of these projects, Jackie decided that she wasn’t quite ready to leave WWT! She now volunteers with us – helping to maintain the huge nature reserve at Slimbridge and giving talks about our work and the life of our founder – Sir Peter Scott. She also continues to work part-time delivering training to new employees, assisting with projects and events and helping out on conservation projects.
Jackie has extensive knowledge of the work that we do at WWT, and her passion for water security is shown through the innovative sustainable drainage systems she has created in her own garden. For example, Jackie has built a prototype for taking water off the conservatory roof and running it through a series of containers which act as seasonal ponds.
About Lucy Redman
Lucy has been a lecturer for the Beth Chatto Gardens since 2018 establishing the Spring and Autumn Practical Gardening Courses as well as Design Your own Garden Course. Lucy worked at the RHS Gardens, Wisely and designed/planted gardens for many years in London and East Anglia. She also assisted Xa Tollemache with the creation of 3 gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Beth Chatto visited the Lucy Redman Garden, Rushbrooke, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk in 2008 which was full of unusual plants blending with arts and crafts. She opened it regularly, privately and for the National Garden Scheme before moving to Manningtree in 2020. Lucy also assists the Education Trust with the design of community spaces and development projects creating outdoor spaces for children and adults as well as nature to thrive.
