Spring and the Summer was really loud in BiodiverCity partner cities as they organised BiodiverCity Festivals celebrating urban biodiversity. Tree plantations, guided tours, promotion of monumental trees, forest bathing, craft workshops, art exhibitions, cultural programmes and interactive activities promoting biodiversity were organised for all generations in 10 corners of Europe. Urban green areas are indeed great assets to engage residents and explain the benefits of nature (the so-called ecosystem services). However, while thousands of residents actively participate in tree plantations, which is great, fewer people are aware that most of these ecosystem services are provided by mature trees. And in many parts of Europe, they face serious challenges like never-before-seen droughts, increased pollution (traffic, dogs, humans) and neglect by public utility companies when earthworks are needed.
Read our Quarterly Network Report 6 summarising the learning journey of the BiodiverCity URBACT Action Planning Network between April and June 2025