People's Emergency Briefing
2026-10-03 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
The People’s Emergency Briefing is an eye-opening film featuring nine leading UK climate experts who share up-to-date insights, including about extreme weather, food security, health and the cost of living. The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing that took place in Westminster with appearances from Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, Jennifer Saunders and a range of voices from across the UK. After the film we will hold discussion about what this all means for us here in York.
Suitable for ages 16+.
Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP (what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew)
Book Online: https://buytickets.at/yorkcliconnect/2300502

York rivers trail: The rivers and us
2026-10-04 09:00 - 2026-10-29 18:00 | City Screen Picture House, 13-17 Coney St, York, YO1 9QL
York rivers trail: The rivers and us is an exhibition exploring the relationship between people, rivers, nature and place in York.
Through photography, stories and creative responses inspired by York’s rivers, visitors will discover perspectives on nature, heritage, wellbeing and climate resilience. Part of the wider York rivers trail programme, the exhibition invites reflection on the importance of rivers to communities, nature and York’s future.
No tickets needed – please visit during CityScreen opening times.
Find out more about the York Rivers Trail here: https://www.york.gov.uk/YorkRiversTrail

Climate Fresk
2026-10-07 13:30 - 16:30, 2026-10-28 13:30 - 16:30 | Sustainability Clinic, University of York Campus West, Heslington, York, Yorkshire, YO10 5DD
Take part in a 3-hour interactive workshop to understand the causes and consequences of climate change and how to take action: open to all.
This collaborative workshop uses an interactive card game to make the fundamental science behind climate change accessible and empowers participants to take action. Climate facts are sourced from scientific publications found in the IPCC reports: these are the same reports that inform global political and economic decision-making at the highest level.
Suitable for ages 16+. Note: spaces are limited. Later submissions may be placed on a waiting list.
Please sign up to secure your spot and make us aware of any accessibility requirements via our Google sign up form https://forms.gle/xdRbXDz1yMBv7jMY6
Find the Sustainability Clinic on the University of York Campus West – here is a link to the interactive university map: https://www.york.ac.uk/map/#locidmsd-r-b10
If you have any questions about our sessions, or can no longer attend, please contact esay@york.ac.uk

Cultivating Biodiversity in a Churchyard
2026-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | All Saints North Street, York, YO1 6JD, United Kingdom
In this short, informal talk, Beki Hagger from St Nicks will talk about how the church grounds are being managed for biodiversity, providing a vital link in the ‘Green Corridors’ through the urban centre of York and creating a sanctuary for local wildlife.
The event aims to inspire others with custodianship of even small patch of land to consider management that allows flora and fauna to thrive as it has in the grounds of this historic church.
All welcome, so come along – no booking needed. Any donations support the maintenance and running of the historic church and public engagement activities.

Get to grips with Climate Science: Climate Fresk workshop
2026-10-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
Understanding climate science might seem intimidating, but it’s important we get to grips with it. The Climate Fresk turns climate science into a team game, where we work together to connect the causes, mechanisms and effects of the climate crisis, and what we can do about it.
Join an interactive workshop with trained facilitators to look at climate science in more detail, learn together, challenge our assumptions and talk about the future.
Find us at : Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP, what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew (Find out more about what3words here)
Book Online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/york-get-to-grips-with-climate-science-homestead-park-tickets-1993445700753
Suitable for ages 14+.

Permaculture, the park, and climate justice guided tour
2026-10-10 13:30 - 15:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
This gardener-led tour is a chance to explore Homestead Park through a permaculture lens.
The park team work to create a wonder filled space which also supports our ecosystems in a time of climate crisis – a lot of thought goes into it! This tour is great for those who want to dig beneath the surface and discover the “why?” behind the park’s methods and practices.
Optional tea, cake and connection to follow. No booking required, just turn up!
Meet outside the Homestead Park pavilion (whatthreewords reference: ///ears.feast.boots). Please be aware, we may go off the beaten track and stand for periods of time.

Water and us: simple actions for healthier rivers
2026-10-13 18:30 - 20:00 | West Offices, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA, United Kingdom
York’s rivers connect our communities, support wildlife and shape the city’s future. This interactive discussion will explore practical actions residents can take, from planting and rain gardens to water butts, depaving and sustainable drainage.
Inspired by the York rivers trail and its wider “The rivers and us” programme, the event will consider how local action can support biodiversity, climate resilience and healthier rivers for future generations.
Book your free place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364848

Beyond the Battlefield: Ecocide in Ukraine
2026-10-14 18:00 - 19:30 | https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/event/beyond-the-battlefield-ecocide-in-ukraine/
Explore the environmental consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian war through the lens of ecocide and restorative justice. Drawing on personal experience and research, Kateryna Minakova examines the impact of conflict on landscapes, wildlife, and communities, and discusses pathways to environmental recovery and accountability.
Perfect for nature lovers, students, researchers, sustainability professionals, and anyone interested in Ukraine, conservation, and environmental justice.
Suitable for ages 16+.

How will extreme heat change our lives?
2026-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Spark York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Following the extreme heat, lack of rain and wildfires this summer, Jan Selby, Professor of International Politics and Climate Change at the University of Leeds, will explain the science behind the changes to our weather and introduce a discussion on what we can do about the impacts.
We’d really welcome participation from organisations or individuals who work with vulnerable people or who offer solutions to help us adapt our homes, buildings and public spaces.
Join us in person at Spark (in the Show Room on the first floor) – no booking needed.
This is event is most suitable for ages 14+, but all are welcome!

What would a community-supported farm bring to York? Ways to address local food and climate resilience
2026-10-15 19:30 - 22:30 | Bleubird Bakery, 201 Acomb Road, York, YO24 4HD
What would a community-supported farm bring to York?
Learn about ways to address local food & climate resilience with community-supported agriculture. This event will include a facilitated panel discussion, and audience Q&A, to learn about community supported agriculture.
Book online and join us at Bluebird Bakery in Acomb. All are welcome!

York! Get to grips with the Ecological Crisis @ Homestead Park
2026-10-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
The Biodiversity Collage is a visual, interactive, and accessible workshop that aims to raise awareness around the ecological crisis. It is based on the 2019 IPBES report from the UN. The collaborative workshop invites participants to share their knowledge while making this important scientific report fun and accessible.
During this workshop, you will discover key concepts around biodiversity, the interactions with human activities and the threats caused by its destruction.
Find us at: Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP
what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew (find out more about what3words)
Suitable for ages 14+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-get-to-grips-with-the-ecological-crisis-homestead-park-tickets-1544004702629?aff=oddtdtcreator

Castle Howard's Future Landscapes - From Hundred Springs to Climate Extremes
2026-10-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Terry Avenue, York, YO1 6FA, United Kingdom
Castle Howard’s acclaimed Future Landscapes series comes to the York Environment Festival for a panel discussion on water in a changing climate.
Inspired by Henderskelfe, meaning “Hundred Springs“, speakers from Castle Howard, Environment Bank, Howardian Hills National Landscape and Young Wilders will explore flooding, drought and landscape resilience.
This panel discussion is perfect for anyone interested in nature, climate and water. Suitable for ages 12+.
Reserve your spot online: https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on/natural-environment-events

What’s in the water? Using data to tackle misinformation and drive change
2026-10-22 18:00 - 19:30 | York Explore Library, Library Square, York, YO1 7DS
Is the Ouse an open sewer, or a river we’re forgetting how to know?
This interactive evening explores how myths, headlines and assumptions shape public perceptions of York’s river, and how citizen science and community knowledge can help us build a clearer picture and drive change.
Featuring Ouse It or Lose It, the University of York’s AQUA Project and local river partners, with discussion and audience Q&A. With images from the City Archive as hosted by Explore York Library and Archives.
Suitable for ages 14+, people under the age of 14 can attend if accompanied by a responsible adult.
Tickets for this free event are available at https://exploreyork.org.uk/whats-on/

Get to grips with the Planetary Boundaries @ Homestead Park
2026-10-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Homestead Park Pavillion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York, YO30 6WP, United Kingdom
Perhaps you’ve got your head around the climate crisis? Or the ecological crisis? It’s already a head scratcher. The Stockholm Resilience Centre have identified a further 7 other earth systems that we need to be aware of. Together they call these “”planetary boundaries.”
These 9 planetary boundaries are exposed and explained in this systemic and collaborative 3-hour workshop.
Find us at: Homestead Park Pavillion. The Homestead, 40 Water End York YO30 6WP
what3words.com/flips.nurses.renew (Find out more about what3words)
Suitable for ages 14+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-get-to-grips-with-the-planetary-boundaries-homestead-tickets-1996252716613?aff=oddtdtcreator

Why Trees Matter
2026-10-27 12:00 - 16:00 | Rawcliffe Country Park, Rawcliffe, York, YO30 5RX
Join us at Rawcliffe Country Park for a fun, family-friendly drop-in event exploring the amazing world of trees. Discover how trees help tackle climate change, reduce pollution and flooding, support wildlife, and provide food. Learn to identify a variety of local trees, enjoy hands-on tree planting demonstrations, and find out how to get trees for your own garden or community.
Perfect for children, young people, families, and nature lovers. All welcome – just drop in!
No age restrictions but children should be accompanied by an adult.
Find us in Rawcliffe Country Park at the Park and Ride – use the What3Words location ///duck.making.soak.

The rivers and us: future voices
2026-10-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue, York, YO23 1JQ
What kind of future do we want for York’s rivers?
Drawing inspiration from the York rivers trail, this creative workshop invites young people to explore rivers, climate resilience, nature and community through storytelling, discussion and performance. Participants will develop creative responses, share their perspectives and consider how individual and collective action can help shape a more sustainable and resilient future for York’s rivers, communities and natural environment.
Book your place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cityofyorkcouncil1/2364683
Booking information:

Suitable for young people aged 13+. No previous drama or performance experience is required.
Capacity is limited to 10 participants to allow time for discussion, creative development and performance.
The workshop is designed for young people aged 13+ to participate independently, although parents and carers are expected to remain on site.
Set within Rowntree Park, the amphitheatre is near the southern tennis courts and recreation field (Millennium Bridge side).

York City Nature Exhibition
2026-10-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Norman Rea Gallery, Derwent College, University of York, York, YO10 5DD
Join us to celebrate the incredible wildlife seen in and around York at the Launch of a weeklong visual exhibition at the Norman Rea Gallery on the University of York campus.
The exhibition includes photographs of wild animals and plants people took during the York City Nature Challenge, paintings and drawings showcasing the art of nature journaling, and brings to light nature-related insights from the Borthwick Archives! There will be sensory journals, stickers and nature-themed bookmarks too!
Please book in advance: https://forms.gle/KxBhDMoS3mfbMrKf8
Suitable for ages 5+.
The Norman Rea Gallery is on the first floor of Derwent College, on the Heslington Campus of the University of York.

The Environmental Destruction of Palestine
2026-10-28 19:00 - 20:30 | https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/event/environmental-destruction-of-palestine/
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh is a distinguished Palestinian scientist and author, founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University where he teaches. His talk will be of interest to all who are concerned with climate justice and justice in Palestine.
This is an online event. Reserve your spot: https://buytickets.at/ypa/2356761
Suitable for ages 12+.

Weeds!
2026-10-29 18:30 - 20:00 | West Offices, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA, United Kingdom
Hear how City of York council manages weeds, and how to opt your street out of chemical spraying.
Volunteers from communities that have opted out and Councillors Kent and Whitcroft will share how they manage this, and Laura Potts, a Bishophill resident, will talk about the value of street plants in greening our environment.
Find us at the Hudson Room, CYC West Offices, Station Rise
This is a drop-in session suitable for ages 12+ – no booking is needed.

#talkingclimate: A toolkit for more effective conversations
2026-11-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX
Climate change can also be a difficult topic to bring up with your friends, family or colleagues.
Bringing up climate change in conversation can be one of the most powerful things we can do to shift society. So join us for a two hour workshop to build up a practical toolkit, based on Climate Outreach research, to practise talking about climate change with your friends, family and colleagues.”
Find us at The Den, Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX
Suitable forages 16+. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talkingclimate-a-toolkit-for-more-effective-conversations-tickets-1996255579175?aff=oddtdtcreator
