A Month of Nature Recovery
Saturday 9 May- Saturday 30 May, 11am-3pm, Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street, Lewes, BN7 2LU
Visit Lewes Climate Hub throughout May to discover how you can support our Swifts, protect our Hedgehog populations, help wildflowers to flourish across town – and lots more!
Saturday 9 May: Celebrating Swifts
Lewes is officially a Swift-friendly Town and we want to remind everyone about these wonderful, endangered Summer visitors.
10.30am – Join our pavement Swift Parade from the Linklater Pavilion to Lewes Climate Hub to welcome back our Swifts and raise awareness. If you are able, please bring a banner to show your support for Swifts.
11am-3pm – Join us for refreshments at Lewes Climate Hub and browse our Swift exhibition of fascinating facts. Find out how your simple actions can help them. Discover where you may see Swifts in Lewes, make your own Swift badge, and join Lewes Swift Watch 2026.
1.30pm-3pm – ‘Keep the Skies Screaming! An illustrated talk about Swifts’: Join renowned Swift expert Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation for his engaging illustrated presentation ‘Keeping the Skies Alive – why we need Swifts more than ever’. Tickets £5 plus booking fee via Eventbrite here (all profits to go to Swift Conservation).
Saturday 16 May: It’s Hedgehog Day!
Hedgehogs are classified as vulnerable to extinction in Great Britain, with populations having declined by up to 75% in rural areas since 2000. Come and discover how to help these adorable, endangered animals.
11am-3pm – Join Rustic Tim to make your very own woodcraft Hedgehog to take home, (£1 charge).
1.30pm-2pm – Talk by Trevor Weeks of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, (ESWRAS): “Hedgehog Challenges”. Free and no need to book.
Buy a toy hedgehog and support wildlife rescue
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service is a front-line rescue service for wildlife casualties who, unlike their domesticated cousins, do not have owners to help look after them. ESWRAS have helped to rehabilitate rescued Swifts and Hedgehogs until they are well enough to be set free. You can support their work by buying a handmade mini Hedgehog toy at our Hedgehog Day. All donations received will be given to ESWRAS.
Saturday 23 May: Wildflower Lewes
11am-3pm – We want a Lewes filled with wildflowers and buzzing with bees and butterflies! Come along and learn some of Wildflower Lewes’s tried and trusted ideas so that you can make your garden, window box or planter more nature-friendly. Find out why our native wildflowers are so important – and take some home to plant.
Saturday 30 May: People’s Park for Nature
11am- 3pm – The mission of People’s Park for Nature is “Connecting people, sharing land, restoring the wild”. Come and find out why it is important to reintroduce lost species to the Lower Ouse Valley such as beavers, storks, eagles, and more. Drop in for activities for all ages and get advice on bringing the wild into your garden or green space.
Lewes Nature Mosaic
Throughout our Nature Recovery season, find out about the Lewes Mosaic Project. This is building a mosaic of habitats across the town, providing homes and food for our wonderful wildlife and bringing the town to life! See what other people are doing and add your own wildlife-friendly actions and plans to the Mosaic Map.