THE HERDS
Get involved in a global project to raise awareness of climate change this May and June at Stanwick Lakes!
Have you heard of the THE HERDS?
THE HERDS is a groundbreaking public art and climate project designed to inspire action and renew our bond with the natural world. From April to August 2025, life-size puppet animals will sweep through city centres on a 20,000km journey from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle, bringing together the worlds of arts and science in an urgent call for climate action. THE HERDS is a public artwork on a scale never before attempted and will vividly dramatise the climate crisis.
With support from Art Fund, Stanwick Lakes joins THE HERDS alongside 43 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, bringing artistic events, workshops and educational activities to local communities to inspire the next generation and deepen connections with the natural world.
Throughout May half term we will host hands-on educational, community activities
to raise awareness of this amazing project:
- ● “Animal Travels” exhibition in the Visitor Centre Heritage Museum, overseen by a giant kestrel puppet created by a professional puppeteer with local teenagers. The exhibition will take place in the May half-term holiday and will feature some of the stories of the animals who lived in this part of the Nene Valley in the past and the present, including local finds such as a woolly mammoth tooth and an auroch horn!
- ● FREE drop-in animal puppet crafts in The Heritage Museum.
- ● “Follow THE HERDS” trail to help visitors learn about some of these amazing journeys while being immersed in beautiful views and wildlife outside on the nature reserve.
Follow our social media channels for updates and how you can get involved at Stanwick Lakes.
More about THE HERDS
THE HERDS will engage with audiences along the 20,000km route with special UK performances in London 27 – 29 June, and Greater Manchester 3 – 5 July. All events are free and have been designed in collaboration with local partners to create a hugely powerful participatory event.
An accompanying learning resource ‘Let The Wildness In’, supported by Art Fund, will be available to engage schools, families and communities across the world with free downloadable resources, education and activity packs, reading lists, lesson plans and open-source puppetry design kits.
THE HERDS is presented in partnership with global climate organisations – including WWF International, Save the Elephants, Wild Africa, Global Rewilding Alliance and TED Countdown – as well as numerous arts organisations, scientists, artists, zoologists, politicians, climate activists, universities and civil society groups across Central, West and North Africa and Europe to present one united call for action.
Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund said: “Art Fund is supporting 44 museums and galleries across the UK take part in THE HERDS with their communities. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational activities, we’re excited to enable even more people of all ages to get involved in their local area and be inspired by museum collections and this extraordinary international climate movement.”
THE HERDS is produced by David Lan and Tracey Seaward for The Walk Productions and created by Amir Nizar Zuabi with Executive Producer Sarah Loader.
Activities at Stanwick Lakes are inspired by THE HERDS and supported by Art Fund.