'Winter Warmer' Online Talks
Key information
15 January - 11 March 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Free
Heritage
Nature
Join us for our series of free 'Winter Warmer' online talks which take place from January - March.
These sessions are designed to bring a sense of community, discovery and learning to brighten up the long winter evenings.
For a series of 5 sessions we will be joined by guests from across The Royal Parks charity to explore a variety of topics from beautiful botany, to the impacts of climate change and the value of outdoor play for children in the UK's largest city.
Whether you join us for one of the sessions or all of them, get ready to discover London's beloved green spaces from the comfort of your own home!
Queering Ecology: How Societal Bias Shapes Nature
15 January 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
What we consider “natural” may feel instinctive, yet for centuries, the Queer community has been persecuted for being “unnatural.” This makes the definition of nature not just scientific, but deeply social. “Queer Ecology” aims to challenge rigid binaries, revealing the true spectrum of diversity in the natural world and exposing the biases that shape our understanding of it. From gender-fluid woodlice to sex-changing plants, this talk uncovers the wildly fluid world of life found within the Royal Parks.
Connor the Ecologist is an entomologist and educator on a mission to make people notice and appreciate the smaller details in nature. His current work focuses on “Queering” ecology, challenging traditional ideas about what is considered “natural” or “unnatural”. He has had over 2,500 people join his Queer Ecology tours to date.
Parks of the Future
29 January 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
As our climate changes, what will the Royal Parks look and feel like in 20-30 years’ time? Join Darren Share MBE, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks, as he considers the environmental changes we’re already seeing, the work we’re doing in response and how we’re going to prepare the parks for a very different future. What will this mean for visitors to the parks and how can you support these precious spaces?
During this thought-provoking talk you’ll have the opportunity to send in your questions which will be put to Darren at the end.
Over the last 40 years, Darren has worked with communities to deliver positive benefits of parks in an urban environment. He joined The Royal Parks as a Director in January 2024 and is also a Trustee for the Royal Horticultural Society and a national ‘Britain in Bloom’ judge.
Playing Out
12 February 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
What are your memories of playing outside growing up? In our ever-changing city, it’s more challenging than ever for children to feel a sense of freedom outdoors.
Join The Royal Parks’ Community Engagement Officer Hadeel Elshak as she explores the history behind this, the role of play in today’s society, and the contribution that The Royal Parks can make to offer visiting families inspiring play opportunities.
You'll also get a behind-the-scenes view on the exciting work underway to renovate one of the country’s busiest playgrounds, the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens. This talk will offer you new ways of thinking about play and the possibilities for London’s young people in the future.
Wonderful Weeds
25 February 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Discover the beautiful botany and fascinating ecology of some of our most overlooked wild species, the ‘weeds’. Our relationship to these wild plants has changed throughout history. What place do weeds have in our urban parks, and what lessons can we learn from them?
Gemma Hindi is a Help Nature Thrive Engagement Officer with The Royal Parks, and has a particular interest in weeds and fungi. The Help Nature Thrive project is possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Coming soon...
Keep your eyes peeled as details of the fifth talk in our Winter Warmer series will be coming soon!
