Organisers for the St Albans Sustainability Festival are going ahead with the environmental festival in 2021 and are asking groups across St Albans, Harpenden, and local villages, to organise Covid-safe events about living sustainably.
Registration
Registration opens online on 1st February. Community groups, businesses, schools and faith groups can register and find inspiration for appropriate activities including virtual events, on the website www.sustfest.org
Crowdfunder
There is also a #SustFest21 Crowdfunder started to raise £2,000 to help the festival especially around promoting and communicating the festival. It managed to raise nearly £400 in the first day. The organising group would love you to share the crowdfunder if you can.
Jill Watson, who runs the Phase Out Plastic stall at St Albans market, is the new chair of the festival; a partnership between charity Sustainable St Albans, and St.Albans Friends of the Earth.
“We know the lockdown is very challenging for everyone. We asked ourselves if it was the right time to have another festival – especially after the disappointment of cancelling in 2020. However, we believe that local residents are passionate about building environmental sustainability, and threats to our environment just can’t wait. Also, this year the UK hosts the Global Climate Change Conference COP26 and local communities need to get their voices heard.”
Jill Watson, Chair of #SustFest21
The festival runs from Sunday 23rd May to Sunday 6th June 2021. New for this year will be a flexible, online events listings allowing groups to alter arrangements as lockdown rules change.
Sustainable Living themes
#SustFest21 uses the ‘One Planet Living’ framework created by Bioregional with themes including zero waste, community, sustainable food and natural habitats.
“With the pandemic it’s more important than ever to inspire and encourage people to live more sustainably. During the lockdown I have spent a lot of time with my daughter exploring nature where we live, and it brings so many benefits. The virus has curtailed people’s lives, and we want to help get people back talking about the planet.”
Lee Wood, local graphic designer and member of the #SustFest21 organising group.
Sponsorship
The Sustainability is now looking for local businesses to sponsor the festival and information is on the website. Many thanks to Aylett Nurseries for bringing forward their sponsorship from last year.
Jill added: “And thanks to the National Lottery letting the festival use last year’s grant for 2021 for our core funding, and our Community Sponsor Octopus Electric Vehicles . Together these have enabled us to get started.”
More
- Get ideas on how to organise a #Covid-safe activity for the 2021 Sustainability festival. Register from 1st Feb #SustFest21 #StaySafe
2. Bioregional One Planet Living Framework information