About the event

Did you know that scientists often struggle to find male woodlice, that male trees can turn female, or that many of London’s birds partner up into same-sex couples?

‘Queer Ecology’ aims to challenge what we think of as being ‘natural’ or ‘unnatural’ and celebrates diversity in all life. Join Connor the Ecologist and Sixto-Juan Zavala, founder of Queer Botany, on a guided nature walk through Camley Street Natural Park to explore the diverse and unusual lifecycles found in the 'unnatural' plants and animals right outside your doorstep. You’ll learn how to use a hand lens to identify common species of plants and invertebrates and gain a new fascination with the natural world.

This gentle tour around the park invites all curious minds interested in meeting others, learning identification skills, and seeing nature from a new perspective.

Bios: 

Connor the Ecologist (he/him) is a London-based entomologist and educator on a mission to make people notice and appreciate the smaller details in nature. He is currently leading a biodiversity audit of Chelsea Physic Garden, and has also been studying London’s dung beetles. His other work focuses on Queer Ecology, challenging traditional ideas about what is considered “natural” or “unnatural”. Over 1,000 people have taken part in his Queer Ecology sessions so far, delivered with organisations such as The Royal Parks, Garden Museum, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, WWF, Mammal Society, and others. Instagram @Connor_the_ecologist

Sixto-Juan Zavala (he/them) is a designer, illustrator, and story-teller from the US. Zavala founded Queer Botany in 2020. Inspired by the theoretical lens of queer ecology, the project studies connections between queerness and plants through research, events, storytelling, and design. Queer Botany aims to share marginalised perspectives and support more diverse representations in the environment and outdoors. Zavala has designed maps, installed interpretive displays, hosted botanical drawing sessions, and guided walks sharing stories about plants from a queer perspective. Queer Botany has worked with Chelsea Physic Garden, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Victoria & Albert Museum, and other organisations. Instagram @QueerBotany @Sjzavala

London wildlife trust is a not for profit organisation - the charge to attend this event is to cover the running costs and any remaining funds are invested into our vital work to promote nature recovery in London for a thriving city, with wildlife in everyone's neighbourhood.

If the cost of the event is barrier to you attending please reach out to lashfield@wildlondon.org.uk as we may be able to help.