Networks and cities' news

Making nature-based solutions visible and promoting soil life through deep mulch gardens in Veszprém, Hungary

“How and how often do you water these vegetables?” – asks Iuri Bruni from Siena, which is a frontrunner in Italy promoting community gardens. “No need for watering at all, even in the hot summer period and we do not use chemicals” - says Dr Tímea Szalay, president of the Csalán Association, which manages the three deep mulch gardens in Veszprém. But she must repeat her answer three times since participants of the BiodiverCity study visit simply cannot believe it. Finally, she shows the difference: the soil under the mulch is black and wet, while two meters away, in a traditional plot, where there is no covering, the same soil is visibly much dryer (light brown). “This is a garden where we learn how nature works sustainably…”

5+1 reasons to plant untrained saplings in cities instead of pre-grown nursery trees - Experiences of Municipality of Hegyvidék, district 12 of Budapest

The municipality of Hegyvidék developed a tree replacement strategy for the district within the Urban Green Belts (UGB) CENTRAL EUROPE project, with special attention to district trees and tree rows, in collaboration with experts from the International Dendrological Foundation. Following the creation of the strategy, the municipality launched the Hegyvidék Sapling and Young Tree Program in 2019, in which it began the experimental planting of young, untrained saplings in the district instead of pre-grown nursery trees.

How to organise an efficient bioblitz event to map urban biodiversity and activate local communities? - Experiences of Siena (Italy) within and beyond the City Nature Challenge

Bioblitz is a great tool using citizen science to activate and raise awareness of local communities along with biodiversity. According to National Geographic, it is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period, usually 24 hours. A bioblitz brings together volunteer scientists, as well as families, students, teachers, and other members of the community. While a scientific survey often focuses on unique or isolated areas, bioblitzes usually focus on urban green areas.

C4TALENT Newsletter: Issue #1 Now Available!

Packed with updates on our mission to combat brain drain and foster vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems

Pula is on the move: 3rd ULG meeting in June

The meeting was held on Friday, June 14, 2024

Saldus, Latvia: An Idea Seeks a Place and a Place Seeks an Idea!

Can an old and abandoned building become a catalyst for reversing negative trends? Can it retain young people in Saldus and attract some new ones?

By: Marita Melvere