Our Trails Gathering

What if nature inspired how we work together?

Trash Free Trails invite you to a different conference experience: the Our Trails Gathering.

Evolving the celebrated State of Our Trails Summit, which was called 'the conference of the year' in 2023 by delegates, the Our Trails Gathering brings together campaigners, conservationists and storytellers with brands and businesses from across conservation and the outdoors to explore more nature-led forms of collaboration.

Powered by systems thinking, the Gathering will see attendees participate in unique workshops that draw inspiration from ecological systems, to empower new ways of working which centre the future wellbeing of our trails and their communities.

What is the Our Trails Gathering?

For as long as we've been an organisation, Trash Free Trails has repeatedly come up against one of the core challenges which face small ENGOs like us; our 'industry' is founded on models of competition, monoculturalism, and organisational siloing. Worse still is a harder truth - we're working to 'protect' nature, but she couldn't be further from our day to day work.

So over the last five years we've been quietly asking ourselves - how can we better work together as an entire sector to protect and enhance our trails?

With the help of our community ecosystem, we've been exploring this question through a programme of work called Emergence. This has taken us on a journey to discover that some of the best forms of collaboration can be found in nature.

So we're feeding two birds with one seed (as the saying should go), and inviting professionals from across our ecosystem to come together to explore how we can learn from nature to enhance our collaborations, all in the name of our trails.

This event is hosted by Trash Free Trails, but we like to think of it's co-created by everyone who's in the room and what they want to bring. We're experimenting with something a bit new, and we want you to be a part of it.

What Can I Expect from the Gathering?

We'll kickstart the Gathering early on Thursday afternoon evening with Welcome Drinks and a special panel, followed by a unique musical performance. On Friday we deep dive into the workshop sessions, with a vegetarian lunch and teas and coffees throughout.

You can expect roundtables as well as unique exercises that get you up on your feet, out of the building, and moving with the conversation. You can expect opportunity to write by hand, to doodle, to brainstorm. You can expect plenty of time to chat over coffee, and pause for a bit of quiet time.

SCHEDULE COMING SOON!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Our Trails Gathering For?

The Gathering welcomes charities and not-for-profits, businesses, policy makers, activists, researchers and practitioners working in and around recreational trails and those who connect to them.

Is the Our Trails Gathering a Conference?

Sort of! Unlike a more traditional conference which might see you attend several lectures, the Gathering is entirely workshop-based. Attendees will be invited to join different group sessions, with each group stewarded by a member of the Trash Free Trails team.

What's Included in Registration?

A 'Friday Only' ticket provides you with access to the main Gathering workshops on the Friday. It includes a vegetarian lunch, tea and coffee.

A 'Thursday Evening and Friday' ticket includes access to the Thursday evening panel and performance, and all day Friday. This ticket includes drinks for the evening event, a vegetarian lunch and tea and coffee on Friday.

What is Gift Economy Registration? Who is it for?

This is a slightly more expensive ticket, for those who are able to pay an increased rate for the event. By paying more you enable us to offer more tickets at a reduced rate, which reduces barriers to entry for the event. Gift Economy tickets at £15 higher than the standard price.

We encourage those who's business/company are able to pay to consider buying a Gift Economy ticket, and/or any individuals who are comfortably able to meet all their basic needs and have expendable income. 

Thank you for considering Gift Economy! This allows us to improve the accessibility of our events.

What is Reduced Rate Registration? Who is it For?

We have a Reduced Rate available for all tickets. These tickets are for those who would like to attend but wouldn't be able to do so at full price, and/or peers from small not-for-profits. If you'd like to buy a ticket at a Reduced Rate please contact rach@trashfreetrails.org

Please note you will not be asked to provide any proof of your situation. If you have any questions about our Reduced Rate tickets contact Rach.

Is the Gathering Accessible?

We strive to create experiences that hold paramount inclusion and access; if you have any access requirements please notify us at registration.

Red Bull London is a wheelchair friendly venue, with lifts throughout.

This is a relaxed event. Attendees are able to step in and out of sessions at any time. There will be a designated quiet space.

This event is not open to children and is 18+.

All session materials are available prior to the event on request.

If you have any questions about accessibility of the Gathering's content please contact us on rach@trashfreetrails.org

Are there subsidised places available?

We have 5 subsidised places available for students, those on low income or unemployed, and for local organisations. If you'd like more information please contact rach@trashfreetrails.org

Can you tell me more about the venue?

We're honoured to be hosting our first London event at Red Bull HQ in Seven Dials. Red Bull have been a Strategic Partner of Trash Free Trails since 2021, and have kindly donated their space to us for this event.

Red Bull London is in the heart of Seven Dials, an enigmatic area of Soho with easy transport links to all central stations and hotels. The nearest tube station is Leicester Square (Piccadilly & Northern Lines)

We recognise there might be questions and curiosities from attendees regarding hosting a trail conservation event at Red Bull. The choice of venue was intentional, in the hope any concerns can be brought to the Gathering with critical positivity, enabling fruitful and sensitive conversations on collaboration across the sector. If you have further questions or would like to discuss this ahead of the event, please email rach@trashfreetrails.org

Can I book accommodation when I register?

No. You will need to organise any accommodation you need yourself. Near to the venue we recommend Travelodge Covent Garden, Hub by Premier Inn Covent Garden, and The Z Trafalgar.

For further information about this event, please contact Rach on rach@trashfreetrails.org