Where: Stratford Park, Stroud

When: Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7

The highlight of this summer's Stroud Festival of Nature takes place this weekend.

Naturalist, writer and television presenter Steve Backshall will be appearing at Stratford Park Leisure Centre on Saturday (July 6) as guest speaker at this year's festival.

Doors open at 7pm to meet local wildlife organisations who will have stalls in the main hall and the event begins at 8pm.

Previous talks by George Monbiot, Ian Redmond and Chris Packham have been hugely successful and no doubt Steve will also entertain and inspire his audience for he has many experiences and wildlife encounters to share from his adventures around the world.

Steve's talk will end with a short question and answer session. Following his talk, Steve will be signing some of the books he has written. If you are attending, the ticket you purchase could win you copies of these books.

Tickets are available from the desk at the Leisure Centre and are £25 for adults and £15 for under 18s. Telephone 01453 76 6771

The next day, Sunday, July 7, sees the festival's annual flagship event, the Big Nature Festival in The Park.

The Stratford Park event has always been the highlight of the entire festival, bringing around 50 organisations together and welcoming between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors each year.

This is an event for the whole family, bringing together people from all generations to share their ideas and experiences.

The knowledge and skills among those organisations taking part is immense. Much has been learnt in direct contact with nature in its many forms - something which is being denied many of today's younger people.

On this day, there is an emphasis on fun learning for the whole family, on discovering and sharing. Join Stroud Nature and other organisations in the main marquee to look at how you can do your bit to conserve wildlife, while at the same time helping the environment and improving your own health and well-being.

Supported by Stroud Town Council and Cainscross Parish Council, the Garden Guardians project is being launched at the festival. Visitors can talk with experts about the benefits of gardening for wildlife, not just for the wildlife itself but for you, your family and those around you.