London & South East: Queer ecology walk - Wandsworth Common

Join ISEP London and South East for an in-person Queer ecology walk at Wandsworth Common, led by Connor Butler, an Ecologist and Environmental Educator. This event is open to both ISEP members and non-members.

Have you ever wondered why scientists sometimes find it difficult to locate male woodlice, how some male plants are able to change sex, or why many bird species form same-sex pair bonds?

‘Queer Ecology’ explores and questions traditional ideas about what is considered “natural” or “unnatural” by highlighting the incredible variety and complexity of life. Join ecologist Connor Butler for a guided wildlife walk across Wandsworth Common, where you will discover the fascinating and unexpected behaviours, adaptations, and life cycles of the plants and animals that exist around us. Along the way, you will learn how to use a hand lens to identify common plant and invertebrate species while developing a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the natural world.

Meeting Point

Wandsworth Common Station

Please meet near the ticket office at Platform 4 (park side).

Please arrive no later than 6:10 pm. The group will leave the meeting point promptly, and late arrivals may miss the start of the walk.

Host

David Johnston PISEP Committee member, London & South East Global Network, ISEP

I have been part of the London and South East Steering Group since 2015 and really enjoy helping to organise local events that add value to IEMA members. I work in retail real estate sustainability across Europe on all manner of E, S, and G topic, projects, and reporting activities.

Victoria Chater-Lea MISEP Chair, London & South East Global Network, ISEP

I am currently working as the Head of Sustainability at Cluttons, the property consultants. I am responsible for helping our clients achieve their sustainability property goals, and for steering our own corporate sustainability. I consider myself a generalist with particular interest in strategy, social value, biodiversity and carbon. I am a Chartered (CEnv) and Full Member (MISEP) of ISEP, and have been Chair of the London & South East regional network since 2023, and have sat on the committee since 2019. I’ve hosted many events for the group ranging from careers panels, to networking, to specialist webinars. I graduated in 2016 from the University of York with MEnv (Hons) in Environmental Geography with Masters specialism in Corporate Social Responsibility. If there is an event you’d like to be involved in, my door is always open!

Tour guide

Connor Butler Entomologist and Environmental Educator

Connor Butler is an entomologist and environmental educator with a decade of experience helping people connect with the natural world. His work has ranged from serving as an ecological consultant on the development of Singapore’s nature parks, to working as Head of Learning at Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanic garden. Connor specialises in dung beetles and urban wildlife, with a particular interest in Queer Ecology, which challenges societal ideas of what is considered “natural” or “unnatural” and explores the biases that shape how people engage with nature. Over 3,500 people have joined his Queer Ecology nature walks to date. Connor has worked with organisations including WWF, Fujitsu, World Resources Institute, The National Trust, The Royal Parks, The Wildlife Trusts, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the Garden Museum, Mammal Society, British Trust for Ornithology, University of Oxford and the University of Southampton. He has also delivered a TEDx Talk exploring the feeling of disgust and how reconnecting with insects can transform our relationship with the natural world.

This event is hosted by ISEP London & South East, but we welcome members from other regions to join us as well. Why not connect with ISEP London & South East on our LinkedIn page.

This event counts as 2 hours of ISEP recognised CPD. Please check our CPD guidance pages for further details on how to do this.

Description supplied by the event organiser.