Christmas markets, fungus walks and repair cafés: Birmingham's green events this November

From a sustainable Christmas market in Stirchley to fungus walks, orchard volunteering and a glow-in-the-dark nature walk, November is packed with ways to get outdoors and do something good for the environment in and around Birmingham.

Sustainabrum, the Birmingham community interest company that champions sustainable living in the city, has published its curated list of the month's environment, nature and sustainability events. Here are some of the highlights.

Shop green for Christmas

Sustainabrum is hosting its fourth Sustainable Christmas Market, this year at Birmingham Brewing Company in Stirchley. Every trader is sustainable, making it a good place to pick up eco-friendly gifts, with Christmas music, a sustainable craft workshop and, in the organisers' words, "the beer will be flowing".

Wild Earth Movement is also holding its monthly market of ethical traders at Resorts World, and there is a vegan street food and ethical brands event for anyone curious about plant-based living.

Get your hands dirty

There are plenty of chances to volunteer. Highbury Orchard Community CIC runs volunteer days where people can dig, plant and prune while learning about permaculture, with no experience needed. TCV Birmingham has conservation sessions to protect local wildlife and meadows, and to look after the Little Kitchen Garden.

Community gardeners at Ley Hill meet weekly to grow food and look after fruit trees, and a growing group at Rowheath Park in Bournville begins each session with a relaxed birdwatching walk. The Friends of the Jewellery Quarter are holding a litter pick in the area's historic cemeteries, with equipment provided.

Learn something new

Nature lovers can join an informal fungus walk around Warley Woods to learn about "the hidden hyphal world beneath our feet" and its role in recycling nutrients. Researchers from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Forest Research will also explain how rising carbon dioxide could affect forests, and what that means for protecting them.

For 16 to 25-year-olds, the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust is hosting After Dark at its EcoPark, a silent disco and ultraviolet nature walk to experience wildlife after sunset.

Mend, swap and repair

Repair and swap events are a growing part of Birmingham's green scene. Ecobirmingham's free Repair and Share Hub helps people fix clothing and small gadgets, with a free honesty rail for swapping clothes. A monthly Make It Mend It café offers free materials for mending and upcycling, and there is a size-inclusive clothes swap and a Japanese kintsugi workshop for repairing broken ceramics with gold.

Ride together

Circle the City invites people of all ages and abilities to cycle, walk or wheel together around Birmingham and imagine a city designed for people rather than cars.

With the dry, settled weather forecast for the first part of the week, it is a good time to get outside. Dates, times and booking details for each event are on Sustainabrum's website.