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York CliConnect

Co-lead: Dr Lynda Dunlop
Department of Education

Co-lead: Dr Abi Perrin
Freelance

YorkCliConnect is a city-wide network that aims to support and strengthen the local community that understands, communicates and takes action on the Climate and Nature Emergencies we are all facing. By connecting people, projects and organisations in York we facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources, reduce duplication of effort, support and encourage one another, and ultimately help empower necessary change.

The York CliConnect project began in April 2023 as a collaboration between three climate and nature educators – Abi Perrin, Lynda Dunlop and Sophia Cheng (With Many Roots) with funding from the York Environmental Sustainability Institute's Knowledge Exchange Fellows Scheme.

How you can get involved

Come to one of the events on our events calendar, check the news page for upcoming events or check the noticeboard for community notices.

We collect and create resources on the climate and nature crises. Please contact us if you have any requests or recommendations.

Get connected!

Join our mailing list by emailing YorkCliConnect@proton.me

Follow us on social media: @YorkCliConnect on Twitter and Instagram

End of year update (2023)

Since launching in June we have seen the community involved with climate and nature communication and action in York growing, learning and getting better connected.  It has been a HUGE pleasure to get to meet so many of you, to share our ideas and start some new projects and collaborations. 

Some highlights have included:

  • We ran three networking and social events, bringing together over 80 people and dozens of local organisations, some for the first time.
  • We facilitated 6 climate science workshops and 2 biodiversity workshops for our community and Sophia also trained up some fantastic new workshops facilitators, increasing of capacity to empower one another with knowledge in the future.
  • We launched our website york.earth, which we have used to share news, events and resources collected and created by our community.  We have also grown York Resilience Web, a directory and source of information about environmental and social justice groups operating in our city. 
  • In collaboration with Chris Packham's Restore Nature Now campaign we coordinated Yorkshire nature charities and grassroots groups to join together in calling for a strengthening of environmental protections and commitments to restoring biodiversity. 
You may also have been part of the biggest ever York Environment Week (/month!) which culminated in a 100-strong People's Assembly. The team have worked incredibly hard to  distil the conversations that were held in that space into a short document about what the people of York want to see change to make our city climate-conscious and resilient. Please have a read and share it as widely as possible. 
Looking ahead to 2024, watch out for the announcements of new workshops, dates for the Climate Book reading group, climate cafes, regular meetings of local grassroots groups, York Environment Week 2024 and much more. If you are running any events you would like us to promote, or if you have anything else to advertise or are looking for help with, please do let us know.  You can email us via yorkcliconnect@proton.me and/or you can add to our online community noticeboard. 

Upcoming Events

The image is an illustration depicting a group of people engaged in an environmental or sustainability-focused community project or protest.

Beyond Borders: York Climate Narratives 2026

"Personally, sharing my story on stage was one of the most powerful and empowering moments in my life." Tia - performer and organiser

📅 Event timing: We’re planning a public event in March 2025 (exact date TBC) on the theme of the climate and ecological crisis, told through the voices of those from countries on the frontline of these challenges.

Why stories?

Stories are the oldest form of learning. Science gives us the facts, but stories engage our hearts. Tackling the climate crisis isn’t just about COâ‚‚ levels – it’s about lived experiences, resilience, and hope. Stories cut through.

Why York?

York is a vibrant hub of academics, professionals, and communities from across the world. This event will spotlight York-based voices, sharing perspectives that connect global realities with local audiences.

How you can get involved

We’re looking for:

  • Storytellers – Anyone who wants to share their experience. No need to be “ready”; we’ll run a 6-part workshop series on storycrafting and storytelling to support you.

  • Support team – People who can help bring the event to life, including:

    • Spreading the word (social media, networks, press, posters)

    • Messaging and communications

    • Coordinating logistics (venue, stakeholders, marketing, event-night support)

    • Stewarding (welcoming guests, ensuring smooth flow, packing up)

    • Filming stories

    • Musical performances for the interval

    • Helping us decolonise our practice

Kick off details