Connecting Through Nature
Spending time outdoors and enjoying nature can make you feel better by improving your mood, helping you be more active, and bringing people together.
Sunderland has many wonderful places to experience nature from the fantastic coast with its beautiful beaches, to the magnificent River Wear, amazing parks with woodlands and lakes and the important green areas near where you live.
These places are valuable havens for wildlife, providing shelter for birds, insects and small mammals, and creating green corridors that help wildlife move around urban areas. They're also important places for everyone to use for walking the dog, meeting friends and family, going for a run, enjoying the wildlife, or having a kickabout.
Get involved
Are there local greenspaces and places that are special to you, but could be improved by having more trees, areas of wildflowers or spring bulbs? Have you got ideas to make a difference?
We want to make it easier for everyone to enjoy the benefits of spending time outdoors in nature.
That's why we're asking you to share your thoughts and experiences in a short survey - your views will help shape what happens next in our Connecting Through Nature programme.
About the project
Connecting through Nature is a three-year project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to lottery players, and is being delivered in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust. The project is a part of the Nature Towns and Cities programme which aims to revitalise greenspaces for people and wildlife; this is a national partnership between Natural England, the National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Watch this space for more information about the Connecting Through Nature project, where you'll be able to meet the team, find out about local events and activities and download information about your local green and blue spaces.
Get in touch
To find out more, please contact the team by emailing [email protected].
What is Blossom
The National Trust Blossom Campaign is a UK-wide seasonal campaign that encourages people to notice, celebrate and protect spring blossom trees while reconnecting with nature. It is run annually by the conservation charity National Trust.
What the campaign is
The campaign celebrates the short spring period when trees such as cherry, apple, plum and blackthorn blossom. It invites people to get outside, enjoy the blossoms and share their experiences.
It began in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown as a social media initiative called #BlossomWatch, encouraging people to post photos of blossom they saw in their neighbourhoods.
Main aims of the campaign
The campaign has several environmental and social goals:
1. Reconnect people with nature
The Trust encourages people to take time outdoors, for example through the "Big Blooming Break", which invites people to pause and enjoy blossom during their day.
2. Celebrate seasonal natural events
Research by the National Trust found that very few people regularly celebrate natural seasonal events like the arrival of spring, which inspired the campaign.
3. Support biodiversity and tree planting
Blossom trees provide:
food for pollinators like bees
habitats for wildlife
traditional orchards and hedgerows
The Trust is working toward planting millions of blossoming trees by 2030 as part of wider nature restoration efforts.
4. Encourage community participation
Activities often include:
blossom walks
art, poetry and cultural events
urban blossom festivals
social media campaigns (#BlossomWatch)
community tree planting
There are typically hundreds of blossom-themed events across the UK between March and May.
Why Blossom is important
Blossom is used as a symbol because it:
marks the arrival of spring
is short-lived, encouraging people to pause and appreciate nature
supports pollinators and biodiversity
connects cultural traditions like the Japanese practice of hanami (flower viewing).
Transport options
Go Smarter, Go Active
Go Smarter, Go Active is a campaign dedicated to getting more people across the North East to walk, wheel or cycle to make everyday journeys.
Useful links
North East Festival of Blossom map
Click on the map to find out where you can see beautiful blossom in our region or get involved in the North East Festival of Blossom.
Go Jauntly
Your walking app for everyday adventures
Woodlands Trust - Nature Detectives activities for children
Nature Detectives have some brilliant resources and activity ideas. Click on the link below to find out more.
Beat the Street - Hendon and Grangetown
Beat the Street is a real-life walking and cycling game played outdoors in your local community.
Click here for more information (PDF, 1 MB)
Blossom Planner
Photography Competition - Blossom through a Wearside lens
Blossom Through a Wearside Lens invites residents of all ages to capture the beauty, colour and inspiration of blossom across Sunderland. From street trees and pocket parks to gardens, wild corners and unexpected places, we want to celebrate how nature helps our communities thrive.
This competition is part of the wider National Trust Blossom initiative supported by Sunderland City Council, encouraging people to connect with nature, enjoy local green spaces, and celebrate the role of trees in creating a greener, healthier city.
Photographs should reflect:
- blossom in any form (tree blossom, wildflower bloom, garden flowers, or natural growth)
- the unique identity of Sunderland and its neighbourhoods
- creativity, emotion, and connection to place
You don't need a professional camera—smartphones are welcome.
Competition Categories
Ages 10-17
For young photographers who want to showcase their creativity, curiosity, and perspective on nature in the city.
Ages 18+
Open to adults of all experience levels, from casual snappers to seasoned photographers.
How to Enter
- Take a photograph that reflects the competition theme.
- Choose the correct age category.
- Submit your entry via [email protected]
- Include:
- Your name
- Age category
- Contact details
- Title of your photograph
- A short description (up to 50 words) of what the image means to you and why you want to submit it.
- Location of your photo.
Entries open: 6th April 2026
Deadline: 31st May 2026
Entry Rules
- Entrants must live, study, or work in Sunderland.
- Each person may submit one photograph.
- Photographs must be taken within Sunderland.
- Images must be the entrant's own work and taken in 2026.
- Minimal editing is allowed (brightness/contrast/cropping), but heavy digital manipulation is not permitted.
- If people appear in your photo, you must have their permission.
- Parents/guardians must approve entries submitted by participants aged 10-17.
Judging Criteria
A panel of judges will score entries based on:
1. Creativity & Originality
A fresh, interesting or unexpected way of capturing blossom.
2. Connection to Sunderland
A sense of local identity, place or community.
3. Interpretation of the Theme
How well the image reflects "the beauty of nature in Sunderland."
4. Technical Quality
Clarity, composition, focus and overall impact.
Prizes
10-17 Category
- 1st Prize: The winning entry will be printed and displayed in Mowbray Community Garden and the National Trust Washington Old Hall
- 2nd & 3rd Prize will be displayed at the National Trust Washington Old Hall
18+ Category
· 1st Prize: The winning entry will be printed and displayed in Mowbray Community Garden and the National Trust Washington Old Hall
- 2nd & 3rd prize will be displayed at the National Trust Washington Old Hall
All shortlisted entries will be:
- featured on Sunderland City Council's social media
- included in an online "Blossom Through a Wearside Lens" gallery
Winners Announced
Winners will be announced on 15 June 2026 via:
- Sunderland City Council channels
- Email to the shortlisted entrants
- Event display 27 June 2026
Safeguarding & Permissions
- Parental/guardian consent is required for all entries from participants aged 10-17.
- The Council may use submitted images in promotional materials related to the Blossom programme (with credit)
Contact
For questions or support: [email protected]
Blossom events in Sunderland
What will you be joining us for?
