Take Away the Walls

Take Away the Walls, a special exhibition at Saffron Walden Museum, showcased the wildlife of north-west Essex, and explored how getting outdoors can benefit people and the planet, as promoted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

 Discover the everyday wildlife of Uttlesford through this natural history exhibition, including the Museum’s most recently donated objects. Take Away the Walls brought our natural history right up to date, showcasing the return of native species which have been extinct in north-west Essex for over a hundred years.

The exhibition explored how human influence has changed Uttlesford’s distinctive plant and animal communities, and showed visitors how they can create wildlife hotspots at home.  The exhibition also helped visitors to find out where they could enjoy open spaces and wildlife areas locally, and help local groups protect and preserve these areas for today and tomorrow.

An activity programme inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals brought together wildlife groups and community organisations across north-west Essex with local projects and community events. These partnerships hoped to support lasting improvements to personal wellbeing, local communities and the wildlife they sustain.

James Lumbard, Natural Sciences Officer at Saffron Walden Museum, said:

“The exhibition opens our eyes to the wildlife we see everyday, and reveals its hidden stories. Humans are often seen as wildlife villains, but we can also be a huge help to species that are struggling to survive. Not only that, getting active and spending time outdoors is good for our health, our happiness and for creating healthy places to live.”

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Historic Habitats display, with important local wildflowers & butterflies and birds and mammals which live in chalky grassland areas.

 

 

James with a polecat, sadly killed on the roads in 2011. They are returning to Essex after being hunted to extinction in the 1800s - and they out-compete invasive and destructive American mink released from fur farms in the mid-20th century.

A display of farmland, woodland and riverside animals.The American mink is above the badger on the right hand side. They are fearsome predators of water voles, on display to the left of the mink. Water voles became Britain's fastest-declining mammal in the 1990s because of predation by American mink.

Pressed woodland & fruit tree specimens, and a young buzzard sadly killed by a traffic collision. Buzzards are becoming more common in Essex.

 

 

Woods & Rivers and Towns & Garden display case showing mammals, birds and insects to look out for in your garden or your local park.