MOTHS TO A FLAME

In 2021, WWCE joined forces with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to support a unique climate initiative which went on to be displayed at COP26.

As part of the award-winning mass participation art installation spearheaded by the Art and Energy Collective, students from the Trust’s education team and care farms worked together to produce two giant willow moths and 200 smaller unique moths out of recycled plastic milk bottles. Their designs took centre stage at Glasgow’s botanic gardens for the duration of the United Nations Climate Conference, alongside thousands more from community groups across the UK.

During forest school and eco-therapy sessions, young people at The Willows and Lakeside Care Farms crafted their moths and discussed the role of the insect as an indicator of the environmental health of an area, as well as recording messages to be played to politicians at the Conference. They were also joined by talented willow artist, Linda Rees, who helped them create two giant willow pieces which will now permanently reside at WWT reserves as a lasting reminder of the project.

Julian Barlow, Chair of WWCE and Trustee of the WWT says,

“The climate emergency has always been a real cause for concern for young people across the county, so we wanted to do something positive around COP26 which students could really engage with. The project sparked some fantastic conversations around the environment and what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint which was incredibly encouraging to hear.”