18 Feb

Terra Nova, Agricum, Alnarp

Wildlife Gardening – a 40 year evolution

seminars, workshops |
Chris Baines close to Rowan berries.

Chris Baines will share more than 40 years’ experience as an environmental campaigner. As a horticulturist and landscape architect he has worked to promote greater interaction between people and nature. He is best known in the UK as a leader in the field of wildlife gardening, but he will also discuss the wider issues around urban green infrastructure.

Chris Baines has always worked across industry, government and the not-for-profit sectors.  He is self-employed, and has long-standing professional links with the water, construction, housebuilding and energy industries.  He also has media experience as an award-winning writer and broadcaster.  In his illustrated lecture Chris will discuss ways in which all these various aspects of his long career might be integrated more effectively to address the complex environmental challenges of today.

His way of engaging everybody from children to decisionmakers, builders and bankers is unique. His wise inspiring words often come in quite simple but stunning way, reflecting both the complexity and obviousness of nature. As for example; “All wildlife needs water to survive” (The wild side of Town) or;” Generally speaking, the unofficial wasteland sites are much richer in wildlife than the official public spaces” (Wildlife Garden). Chris has proven over and over again that wise management acknowledging the existing values is crucial for the outcome. Chris Baines projects do have – except great environmental values – also social impact by involving the citizens and creating curiosity and engagement leading to knowledge of their neighborhood, inspiring new types of local activities, and networks.

Chris has also managed to prove the value of wildlife in the cities in economic terms and by doing so managed to engage the financial sector. By those strategies the projects involve all from the grassroot level up to investors. And “there are real economic benefits in terms of reducing health care costs, but investment is needed to deliver those benefits.”

He will share his experiences and also reflect on his observations of Malmö city’s potential and possibilities today for successful wildlife that contribute to a healthy and pleasant city.


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