The Open University explores The Nature of Britain

Tx: 9pm, BBC ONE, Wednesdays An epic journey across the length and breadth of our country is continuing with The Nature of Britain, co-produced by The Open University and currently showing on BBC ONE, BBC TWO and BBC FOUR. Presented by Alan Titchmarsh, The Nature of Britain concentrates on the unique ecology of different landscapes and eco-systems throughout the UK and the diverse behaviour of the animals and plants that live in them. During his journey, Alan shares his enthusiasm for the British wildlife, encouraging viewers to step outside and explore the natural history on their doorstep.

The series features eight key landscapes – Island; Farmland; Urban; Freshwater; Coastal; Woodland; Wilderness and Secret Britain. It paints a beautiful contemporary portrait of Britain’s wildlife and provides the definitive guide to The Nature of Britain.

Each programme lasts fifty minutes with an additional 84, ten-minute regional short films, for each BBC television region, which highlights local nature footage and conservation activities. There is also an eight-part companion programme, The Nature of Britain: A User’s Guide, hosted by Chris Packham which broadcasts on BBC FOUR immediately after the main programme on BBC ONE. A User’s Guide showcases rarely seen British wildlife and will be a practical guide showing viewers how they can help to keep Britain green and beautiful.

Dr David Robinson, The Open University’s head academic on The Nature of Britain said: “Science can seen as something remote that ordinary people can’t do without specialist equipment or training, but The Open University is committed to encouraging a ‘can-do’ attitude to science and learning, and The Nature of Britain is very much about what you can see and do for yourself.

“Wildlife is marvellous on TV but our local natural world is fascinating too. Every time I observe wildlife I see something – a plant, an animal, a pattern of behaviour, which I have not seen before. You don’t have to be a zoologist to experience this and the series shows some of the special things right on our doorsteps. The regional films will be great for informing viewers of what they can do locally to experience the natural world themselves and of how they can make a difference.”

The Open University has produced a free calendar to accompany the series which UK based viewers can obtain by visiting the Open2.net website: www.open2.net/breathingplaces

As well as having comprehensive and exclusive material about the network series and regional programmes, Open2.net also has a link to the Breathing Places campaign, which aims to create 1000 new spaces for nature and to improve thousands more. Open2.net will show how an existing space can be improved for its wild inhabitants featuring the process, permissions, scientific background and progress over two years through pictures, video, sound recordings, blogs, interviews and interactive maps.