DIPPING for pond wildlife, bike ride barbecues and moth-watching are among the latest round of free events designed to get families fit, active and in the countryside.

The Mayoress of Derby, Lisa Marshall, was at the city's Tourist Information Centre yesterday to officially unveil the seventh annual Let's Go Wild in Derby programme, which features dozens of activities for people of all ages.

Also included in the events are canal and astronomy walks and fungus fun – in which mushroom and toadstool experts will show off some of the edible delights of the countryside.

Each of them has an environmental theme and the Mayoress said they would also encourage people to become healthy.

Addressing guests at the centre, she said: "It's excellent that the council, through its WildDerby project, has once again produced a superb programme which showcases the events of more than 30 local groups.

"They are events everyone can enjoy, getting up close to Derby's natural heritage, right on our doorsteps – and perhaps also make us a bit healthier as well."

The programme is co-ordinated by WildDerby and events are run by groups including the Friends of Chaddesden Park, Normanton Allotments Society and Little Chester Local History Group. Beverley Rhodes, from WildDerby, said the scheme had gone "from strength to strength" since its launch, with more than 500 people on the mailing list.

A total of 10,000 brochures, detailing information such as locations and times of the free events, have been produced and will be available across the city.

Wendy Hithersay, of the Findern Footpaths Group, who was one of about 20 people at the launch, said: "It's very important that there's something like this, which list lots of different activities from lots of different groups in one place.

"All of the groups offer something a little bit different; it's nice to meet people from other projects."

In 2009, more than 2,000 people took part in events from the programme. "Let's hope we can better that this year," the Mayoress said.

The first event in the brochure, which contains activities all through the year, is the Children's Nature Club meeting at Sinfin this weekend.

Many of the events take place in the summer, including balsam-pulling at Markeaton Brook.

The WildDerby brochure is in libraries, council offices, doctors' surgeries and at the Tourist Information Centre in Market Place, Derby.

It is also available online at www.derby.gov.uk/wildderby