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Friday 16^th and Saturday 17th was open day at the Landscape Architecture and Greening Sciences Research Centre, showcasing to the public some of the more accessible research that happens on site. This is where the best varieties of plants for the roads and parks are developed. Apart from the botanical research focus it also has unexpected research on other aspects on nature health  and even forest health and also nature education.

The ground were awash with aromatic China Rose varieties, with even a robot dog roaming the grounds.

The numerous stalls highlighted different areas of interest. One stall featured the use of one type of harmless insect to control the more harmful populations , these are capable of replacing the more dangerous but convenient pesticides being used.

One stall had dried plants , seeds, roots,bark, flowers, wood and dried fruit whose aromas were used for different remedies . My little bag was full of treasures for enhancing sleep .

There was a stall on the Cork Oak which is currently being used to wooded areas to enhance insect and small animal diversity .

At the end of one walk way we had an enjoyable chat with Dr Daiziyun and colleague on monitoring carbon capture and water uptake .

There were artworks celebrating different aspects of plant life from the marginal ecological wisdom of ethnic knowledge from the Institute of Design  to the roadsides we see daily ….my own work ‘Andingmen Bus Stop’

A huge thank you to all the people who work closely with all living things, from the tiniest insect to the largest tree, for bringing understanding and connection of the natural world to our busy daily lives in the city . To the people who care for the plants on the side of the roads of Beijing, the the research Scientists who explore and make new discoveries for us and to the nature educators that link us all together in the intricate web of life , so that we understand better how they live and how we might live. Together , you weave a fabric  of understanding  that enriches our lives and inspires us to care for the world we share . Let us continue to nurture this connection and strive for a harmonious  co existence with nature . 

China Rose Tunnel 164 x 110cm Oil on Canvas Niamh Cunningham 2016