Our Planet Our Future is a series of regular events and talks about sustainability, free for everyone to attend. Speakers are usually local, and present interesting and sometimes novel perspectives about moving towards a more sustainable life and lower carbon economy. Our events take place in Harpenden on alternate months. Our 2024 season will include a film, a talk and evenings with talks and discussion.
All the events (except the walk) are in the Function Room of The Plough and Harrow, 88 Southdown Rd, Harpenden, AL5 1PR. More details below free tickets can. be booked here.
Dates for your diary!
Our 2024 meetings will be on Tuesdays:
- 9 January, 12 March, 14 May, 9 July (a walk), 10 September, 12 November.
And the Our Planet Our Future Book Club meetings will be on Thursdays:
- 15 February, 18 April, 20 June, 19 September, 21 November.
Upcoming Events
Our Planet Our Future: Breaking Boundaries
The Plough and Harrow 88 Southdown Road, HarpendenCome and join us to discuss what we mean by climate tipping points and when and how these will affect us and the planet. Book you free place here. Watch… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: Breaking Boundaries
Our Planet Our Future: OPOF book club – the fourth meeting
The Plough and Harrow 88 Southdown Road, HarpendenThe Our Planet Our Future Book Club is going to meet in pubs in Harpenden on Thursday evenings five times a year, from 7.30-9.30pm. The group has chosen books… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: OPOF book club – the fourth meeting
Our Planet Our Future: Guided Walk – Exploring Highfield Oval, Harpenden – its history and ecology
The Oval Cafe YWAM Harpenden, 6 Highfield Oval, HarpendenGuided walk by Jonathan Edwards. Meet by the Oval cafe at YWAM Harpenden to start at 7.30pm. The guided tour will focus on the wood, the orchard and the biomass… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: Guided Walk – Exploring Highfield Oval, Harpenden – its history and ecology
Past events
Been to one of our events and want to see photos or find resources? Or just curious about what sort of speakers we’ve had and topics we’ve discussed? Head over to our Past Events page to find out and see our blogs here.
How it all started
The original Our Planet Our Future festival of ideas was held at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, on 21 April 2018.
Over three acts, 18 speakers presented topics ranging from imagining tomorrow’s homes to eco-friendly periods, from wondering how we get the City to invest in green initiatives, to edible insects, and more.
Thanks to generous funding from the Harpenden Trust, talks are available to watch here on our website or on YouTube. Take a look for the full range of topics, and get inspired!
The art installation and tree plantings
Alongside the events we displayed an art installation of three new trees, sponsored by Ayletts. Delegates hung their sustainability pledges on the branches, and the trees were then planted across the district.
- The first tree, a Silver Birch, was planted in Leyton Green by Harpenden Town Mayor, Cllr David Heritage on 6 November 2018. Unfortunately the tree was damaged in spring 2021, however Ayletts kindly donated a replacement tree which was planted by current Harpenden Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Cousins on 1 December 2021.
- The second tree, a crab apple, was planted in the William Bell Playground by Sandridge Parish Councillor, Cllr John Hale on 19 December 2019.
- The third tree, a copper beech, was planted in Clarence Park, by St Albans Mayor, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, on 6 February 2019.
View more photos of the event and art installation
Contact the team
If you’re involved in a sustainability project locally that you think others may like to hear about, get in touch and we’ll see if you could be a good fit for one of our future talks. Either send us an email via ourplanet@sustainablestalbans.org or say hello at one of our events, we’d love to meet you!