Centuries of farming, building and industry have made Britain one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. A recent study by scientists at the Natural History Museum revealed we have lost almost half of our biodiversity since the Industrial Revolution, with a large proportion of our animal species at risk. This has significant implications for our mental and physical health, cognitive development, and relationship with the natural world - particularly for young people.

We’ll bring together writers, artists and naturalists to explore this rapid loss of biodiversity. Working with local schools and families, we’ll explore Milton’s descriptions of the natural world as inspiration for collective stories, artworks and messages that snake through our museum as a shared call to action. Responding to Milton’s own environmental messages, young people will have the opportunity to express and share their own concerns about the world around them.