Join us at this event: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/healrewilding/1753872

Heal is a 460 acre rewilding project not far from Bristol, this film tells their story. Followed by a speaker and Q&A, then we'll adjourn to a nearby bar.
 

Heal the Land Bristol Screening
Thu 9 Oct 2025 7:00 PM
Bristol Megascreen at Bristol Aquarium, BS1 5TT

Join us in Bristol for a screening of Heal the Land, the new film documenting the beginning of nature recovery at Heal Somerset.

Heal the Land is a compelling, inspiring and hopeful film about the transformation of a former intensive dairy farm in Somerset into a thriving new place for nature and people.

This beautiful 25-minute documentary, filmed entirely at the Heal Somerset site during 2024, is a journey of drama, discovery and insight into the start of this rewilding journey. The film features astonishing new arrivals, a remarkable array of wildlife and insightful commentary from experts and the Heal team. Above all, it shows the extraordinary resilience of nature and how quickly wildlife comes back if we give it space and leave it in peace. 

Alongside the screening, we will be joined by some brilliant expert speakers from within the rewilding and wildlife sectors who can offer a deeper insight into the world of rewilding and the ups and downs of establishing a rewilding site including rewilding principles, innovations, interventions and good practice.

With England currently one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, the challenge to restore biodiversity and kickstart nature recovery has never been more urgent. Come along to find out how rewilding can give back to wildlife and to ourselves as individuals and communities. 

Ahead of the screening, there will be an optional nature walk with Nick Patel meeting at the Megascreen entrance. You can select a ticket for this at checkout.

Timings*

6pm-7pm: Optional Nature walk with Nick Patel (booking required)

7.30pm: Introduction and film screening

8.05pm: Interval

8.25pm: Special guest speaker: Sahil Jha, environmental activist and advocate of the Save Soil movement

8.30pm: Making of Heal the Land Q&A

Sumita Hutchison, chair of the West of England Nature Partnership (chair)
Tom Francome, director of Heal the Land
Daniel Hill, rewilding ranger, Heal Somerset
Hayley Smith, producer of Heal the Land
8.50pm: Why Rewilding Matters

Sumita Hutchison, chair of the West of England Nature Partnership (chair)
Eva Bishop, head of communications, Beaver Trust
Nick Patel, tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder
Jan Stannard, co-founder and CEO, Heal
9.40pm: Networking

10.pm: Event ends

*please note the timing are subject to change

Sumita Hutchison is Chair of the West of England Nature Partnership (WENP), driving collaboration across sectors to deliver rewilding, nature recovery, and regional resilience. A former lawyer and experienced board director, she brings sharp governance expertise and a track record of leading complex partnerships across environment, health, and housing. At WENP, Sumita has championed nature-based solutions, shaped green infrastructure strategies, and convened local authorities, NGOs, and business leaders to embed biodiversity and climate action into policy and land use. Her cross-sector insight and passion for restoring landscapes make her a credible and engaging voice for rewilding and the role of nature in tackling the climate, health, and social challenges of our time.

Eva Bishop leads Beaver Trust's communications and education work, aiming to mobilise widespread understanding and encourage acceptance of the changes beavers bring and prepare people to live alongside them. She is a passionate environmentalist dedicated to climate action, nature connection, landscape resilience and regenerative systems. Eva is also a regenerative grower and permaculture student, with a diploma in agroecological systems and practices, and is particularly interested in the intersection between ecosystem restoration, farming and food production, and community climate resilience.

Tom Francome is the founder of Planet House Productions and is a director, videographer and video editor who has credits shooting on feature documentaries for Nat Geo, Disney+, BBC and ITV.

As the Rewilding Ranger at Heal Somerset, Daniel Hill manages the site’s monitoring and land management programs. You can find him surveying for signs of beavers, co-ordinating volunteer work parties, or working with partners to deliver the hydrological restoration plan, amongst a huge variety of other tasks. Dan’s passion for nature was sparked as a child growing up on an organic small holding in rural south Wales watching red kites soar above. His love of rewilding developed through volunteering with the RSPB on the Somerset Levels after completing a degree in Mathematical Sciences.

Sahil Jha is an environmental activist from India and a passionate advocate of the Save Soil movement. Since the age of 16, he has been working to raise awareness about soil extinction and the urgent need for sustainable soil practices. In 2025, he began a global cycling journey across more than 20 countries and 4 continents, starting from Bundaberg, Australia. Along the way, he engages with schools, universities, farmers, and local communities, promoting the movement’s goal of restoring agricultural soils to at least 3–6% organic matter. Through his endurance, activism, and youth leadership, Sahil represents a new generation committed to building a sustainable and food-secure future.

Nick Patel is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong Birdwatcher, and former Nature reserve Warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it. Alongside leading wildlife tours at Heal Somerset, Nick is eager to highlight some of the incredible species you can spot right in the heart of Bristol.

Hayley Smith is an award-winning natural history series producer and director with 30 years’ experience in the TV industry. She has worked on factual programmes across the BBC, ITV, C5, National Geographic, Discovery and Sky Nature. Her credits include the global hit series Meerkat Manor shot in the Kalahari, Wild Britain with Ray Mears for ITV and Pygmy Hippo – A Very Secret Life for BBC2’s flagship series Natural World.

Her BBC4 feature-length documentary Nature’s Turtle Nursery: Inside the Nest revealed for the first time the extraordinary hatching of eggs inside an olive ridley turtle’s nest during the mass nesting event in Costa Rica. Hayley began her freelance career as a producer on the enduring Longleat series Animal Park with Kate Humble and Ben Fogle and has spent many years showcasing the work of conservationists, wildlife rangers and vets around the world. She’s become a passionate advocate of rewilding, seeing the power of storytelling as a way to inspire others to join the movement.

Jan Stannard is a Co-founder and CEO of the national rewilding charity Heal, which launched in March 2020 to raise money to buy land in England for nature recovery, climate change action and wellbeing. Jan moved into the charity sector after 40 years’ experience in business, having served on company boards in the strategic communications and digital marketing sectors. She first became active in campaigning for wildlife in 2015 when she set up a local swift group, which has since organised the installation of hundreds of swift boxes. She also oversaw the largest ever amphibian ladder project in England in 2018, helping to stop migrating toads from drowning in road drains. She has a BA in Geography and a first-class honours degree in Psychology, and while studying for the latter, qualified as an executive coach and trained as a resilience specialist.

At Heal, we actively encourage and support sustainable travel. When traveling to our events, we invite you to consider more eco-friendly options such as walking, cycling, using public transport (buses and trains) or car sharing. However, we understand that these alternatives may not always be feasible and appreciate your consideration.