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 2023 Season includes:
17 Jan 2023: How to reduce your energy use – from quick fixes to eco-renovation
21 Mar 2023: Curious about local eco businesses?
16 May 2023 : Film: The Ants and The Grasshopper
11 Jul 2023: Guided walk: Exploring Batford Springs
26 Sep 2023: Greening your money
14 Nov 2023: Launching the OPOF book club
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 with free tickets available to book here.
Upcoming Events
Our Planet Our Future: Exploring Batford Springs – a guided walk
Batford Springs Nature reserve 32 Lower Luton Road, HarpendenAlex Melson will lead a walk around Batford Springs explaining the green space development plans and activity there. We will meet at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at the Batford… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: Exploring Batford Springs – a guided walk
Our Planet Our Future: Greening Your Money
The Plough and Harrow 88 Southdown Road, HarpendenGreening Your Money - using your finances for good Money Movers is a movement of women taking climate action with their finances, using the power of peer-support. Our guest speaker… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: Greening Your Money
Our Planet Our Future: Launching the OPOF book club
The Plough and Harrow 88 Southdown Road, HarpendenOur landmark series of events, talks and workshops return to the Plough & Harrow, free to join with a regularly changing programme of lively and informed discussion on the latest… Read More »Our Planet Our Future: Launching the OPOF book club
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.
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!