Why should we save it?
Wildwalk is a unique attraction to Bristol, and one that its population is proud to have at its heart. Save Wildwalk believes it should be high on the priority list of the Council Department for Culture and Leisure to retain the good things the city already has, as well as spending money on new facilities.
City of culture?
For a city that tried to stake its claim to the title of European Capital of Culture 2008, it would seem somewhat ridiculous for Bristol to lose such a significant resource.
Waste of money already invested?
Since it opened in 2000, Bristol City Council has generously supported At-Bristol as a whole with £19M of the city’s money, mostly in one-off ‘capital’ payments, and to a smaller extent, annual ‘revenue’ payments, which come out of the council tax. It would be a great waste of this public money (and the money needed to dismantle it) if we as a city (Council and public) did not do everything in our power to try and protect this valuable asset.
Educational resource
Wildwalk is an extremely valuable educational resource for both adults and children, and at a time when our awareness of our impact on the natural environment is growing, facilities like this should not only be treasured and protected, but publicised and marketed effectively, so that more people can have benefit from them.
Wildwalk receives thousands of school visitors every year as well as the family visitors during holiday times. Structured workshops and trails are also offered to fit with National Curriculum links. About 51% of all the schools in the South West have visited – from nearly 100% in Bristol to 7% in Cornwall. It is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for children to build on what they are learning at school about natural history and the environment, in a visually stimulating and interactive way.