Wild Stories: Why Nature Needs you - Ruby Free & Guests

Join us for a conversation with Author, Illustrator and Conservation Biologist Ruby Free and leading community activists - Arron Kelly (Black Mountain); Dakota Reid (Wild Belfast); and Shannon Plummer (RSPB & Belfast Swift Group) - discussing projects and initiatives that protect and restore nature, the challenges we all face, and the ripple effect that small actions and conversation can have.

Ruby will discuss her recently published book, Rathlin, A Wild Life, and share work and reflections from a Residency at The Crescent, focussing on observations of the colony of swifts that return to the building each year.

Ruby’s book, Rathlin, A Wild Life: Island Living, Seabirds and Extraordinary Gifts from Nature (Blackstaff Press, 2024) follows her journey living and working on Rathlin Island for an awe-inspiring seabird season before moving to her partner’s family farm to restore biodiversity. The book’s key messages highlight nature connection, science communication and the power of community action.

Ruby Free, is an award-winning Campaigner, Writer and Conservation Biologist living on a nature-friendly farm in Northern Ireland. Her passion for wildlife conservation has taken her around the world - from the Canaries to Canada - but her favourite place to watch wildlife is the place she calls home, Ireland. Her recently published, bestselling book; Rathlin, a Wild Life, highlights biodiversity decline through an uplifting and adventurous tale about the time she lived on Rathlin Island. Any spare time Ruby has is spent writing for her column in the Irish News, working on Ballyconnelly Farm, surfing or walking her dog - aka her child - Isla.

The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. They bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world.