The Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival has wrapped up its biggest and busiest year yet.
With around 116 events across the nine days, The Guardian named the festival among the UK’s top nature festivals this year, with The Week following suit.
One attendee’s feedback captured the mood perfectly,
“We will remember this experience for a very long time. A gem of an experience.”
Share your feedback
If you attended any of the Biosphere Festival events, make sure you remember to leave feedback by completing the quick online survey.
This helps the team improve future Biosphere events and everyone who completes the form will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 gift voucher.
275 species and counting
Calbourne Mill hosted the festival’s Bioblitz, and the results exceeded expectations. Volunteers logged 275 species at the last count, run by iwatchwildlife.
Moths made up the biggest single group, with a whopping 136 species identified on site.
For some attendees, the festival’s real reward came in the small discoveries. One survey respondent left with a head full of new names for old plants,
“I have learned the names a some very beautiful wild flowers – self healing, jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, hedge bedstead, lady’s bedstead, nodding thistle, to name just a few! And the wonderful Suffolk name for the cockchafer beetle – Billy witch!!”
Booked out weeks in advance
Demand outstripped supply for several headline events. The bat walk sold out, as did the UV walk and Ocean Flow Yoga.
The Wild Fermentation workshop filled every slot, alongside the East Yar and Old Quarr walks.
Brading Roman Villa’s workshops sold out too, and the Full Moon Story walk went the same way.
Organisers don’t have a full attendee count yet, but the pattern of sold-out sessions speaks for itself. One respondent summed up why,
“I was blown away by the breadth of events and am excited for the next one.”
Another described a single session that somehow covered everything at once,
“The event I attended had a bit of everything, community, networking, walking in nature, science, learning, art, creativity and lunch! Brilliant.”
A third simply wanted more of the same,
“Fabulous programme with plenty of variety…more of the same and it will only go from strength to strength.”
A grassroots effort behind the scenes
None of this happens without people giving up their time. Around 25 volunteers ran the festival’s core logistics.
Well over 100 more people supported or delivered individual events across the Island.
That community spirit didn’t go unnoticed by those who took part. One attendee wrote,
“I loved how approachable and kind everyone involved was, and the accessibility of the activities.”
Another pointed to the skills the festival helped spread,
“It has been amazing to see all the activities across the Island engaging everyone in new skills – information and experience.”
Free events, full houses
Cost featured heavily in feedback, and not as a barrier. One respondent noted,
“Great that so much is free! Encourages people to take part.”
Families in particular found plenty to do without spending a penny. Another said,
“Really excellently programmed. Loads children for free which was great.”
Slowing down and connecting
Beyond the numbers, many attendees described something harder to measure. One wrote,
“It was really enjoyable to take the time to connect with our surroundings and be so much more observant.”
Another found the festival opened up parts of the Island they’d never explored,
“I’ve gotten to know parts of the island I wasn’t familiar with and met like-minded people who value their connection to nature. It was also inspiring to see the commitment from others to celebrating and protecting nature and the planet.”
A third reflected on the bigger picture the festival seemed to represent,
“It’s wonderful to know there are so many inspirational people out there trying to get people to connect with our planet and local surroundings.”
By the numbers
A feedback survey put hard figures behind the goodwill.
- 98% of respondents rated their enjoyment at four or five out of five.
- 86% went further still, awarding the festival full marks.
In the spotlight
The festival’s reach extended well beyond the Island this year. Solent Radio, Vectis Radio, Keep106 and the Island Women Podcast all featured interviews with organisers.
Local press lent its support too, as it has done throughout the festival’s history.
What’s next
Organisers now turn to gathering final attendance figures and feedback from the volunteers and organisations behind the nine days.
With a place among the UK’s top nature festivals secured and a record species count at Calbourne Mill, next year’s Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival already has a high bar to clear.
