AN ACCLAIMED TV producer, author and naturalist will be attending a conference in Taunton to reconnect children and young people with nature.

Stephen Moss is the keynote speaker at the Somerset Wildlife Trust conference taking place during the Trust's 50th Anniversary year to encourage local people to 'Love Somerset, Love nature'.

The conference, set up in response to the Project Wild Thing, a national movement to get more children outside and reconnecting with nature, is aimed at anyone working with children or young people and will explore why getting outdoors is so important.

Stephen, who is also President of the Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “We want children in Somerset to fall in love with nature. We believe that taking children outside to learn is vitally important to fostering a real and relevant connection to their environment.”

The Trust provides curriculum linked, outdoor learning opportunities for primary and secondary schools exploring woodland, meadow and wetland habitats on its nature reserves.

It also holds free events for families at its Wildlife Watch Clubs, with activities including natural arts and crafts and foraging and campfire cooking.

The event takes place at Bishop Fox's School, Taunton, on Thursday May 15, and includes a screening of the engaging film, Project Wild Thing.

To book your place in the conference before Friday (May 9), visit education@somersetwildlife.org or call 01823-652400