News published: 23 July 2025

A symposium organised by Winterbourne House and Garden in partnership with the International Centre for Heritage, University of Birmingham

Following last year’s successful symposium ‘What is Horticultural Heritage?’, this year’s event will focus upon sustainable approaches to managing sites which marry the indoor and the outdoor. What are the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change? How do we communicate environmental issues and sustainable initiatives to our visitors? How do we give our visitors access to green space in a sustainable way? Join us on 20 October 2025, 9:30-17:00.

Who should attend?
Professionals, free-lancers and volunteers working in heritage and/or horticulture; UG and PG students of heritage and/or horticulture; researchers and academics

The programme will include short presentations on a range of exciting projects, and time for group discussion, feedback and networking. Refreshments and a vegan picnic lunch are included.

Speakers include:
– Lee Hale, Director, Winterbourne House and Garden
– Sara Blair-Manning, Chief Executive, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
– Jen Ridding, Head of Engagement and Learning, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
– Catrina Fenton, Head of Heritage Seed Library, Garden Organic
– Frank Caldwell, formerly Principal Officer, Museums Arts and Heritage, Sandwell
– Siân Cooper, Gardens Manager, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust