Celebrating Pride in Nature

Join KPMG's Breathe Network, Journey Network, DfT's LGBT+ Network and DEFRA's Pride network for a special Pride Month event celebrating the environment, championing sustainability, and recognising the profound intersection between nature and queer identity. This unique event, hosted at KPMG's Canary Wharf offices, will feature 2 insightful presentations from experts in the field - Robbie Blackhall-Miles and Ellie Leech - followed by a fireside chat, a Q&A session and opportunities for networking and refreshments.

The green stripe of the original Pride flag was deliberately chosen to represent nature, signifying that queer identity has always been intrinsically linked to the natural world. This event will explore this historical connection and its modern implications for environmental stewardship within the LGBTQ+ community.

Robbie Blackhall-Miles is an Honorary Lecturer at Bangor University's School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, where they earned their MSc in Biodiversity Management from the University of Kent. Robbie also holds an honorary professorship at Nottingham University where they lecture in Plant Conservation. Robbie is a highly respected 'hands-on' restoration ecologist, actively working both in the UK and internationally. Their expertise includes understanding the impact of climate change on plants, conserving vital shrubland habitats, and leading Plantlife International's efforts to protect rare Arctic Alpine species in Wales. They are a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and has written extensively on horticulture and conservation.

Ellie Leech is the Head of the British Trust for Ornithology’s Ringing and Nest Record Scheme, leading a team focussed on logistic development and volunteer support; through the latter, she has become increasingly involved in the Trust's EDI initaitves, primarily, but not solely, focused on making surveyng more accesible for women and the LGBTQ+ community. As a volunteer for her own Schemes, she spends much of the spring and summer immersed (literally) in her beloved gravel pits, monitoring the nests of Reed Warbler and trying to avoid those of wasps, then much of the autumn and winter keeping them clear of willow.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU REGISTER TO ATTEND THIS EVENT - ONLY ONE REGISTRATION PER PERSON.

Please use the Eventbrite link - RSVP-ing to this event on the Journey website does not provide entry!