On Monday, the City Council of Plymouth (Devon, SW England) published a video on Twitter with the following message: "We're declaring a War on Weeds". The video shows an "army" of men dressed in herbicide spraying equipment, holding big machinery in manly poses, with the aim to fight an "old enemy". It also includes shots … Continue reading Plymouth’s “War on Weeds” and the debate on urban nature
Just *how many* plants live in our cities?
Since launching the More Than Weeds project in 2020, I have been asked this question at least a dozen times: just how many plants live in our cities? The answer? Well, it's complicated! Those of you living in a seaside town may be able to observe a range of unique, salt-tolerant flora on buildings and … Continue reading Just *how many* plants live in our cities?
The City Nature Challenge has started – take part!
The 2021 "City Nature Challenge" has started! This annual worldwide event is aimed at documenting the biodiversity that lives in our cities, because they are much more than "concrete deserts"... The Challenge consists in two parts: April 30 - May 3: take as many plant or animal pictures as you can in your cityMay 4 … Continue reading The City Nature Challenge has started – take part!
“Wilding” our streets – a talk for Lambeth Country Show
As my local country show, Lambeth Country Show, had to go virtual this year, I gave a short talk on "weeds" in our cities, and on how learning to live with wild plants could benefit us in many ways. Watch it here, and please feel free to send me your comments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvbbniiIrnE&feature=emb_title