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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Karen Antcliff

Why you might see chalk marks on the streets of Nottingham and what it means

If you've walked the streets of Carrington recently then you may have seen a series of chalked words.

And if you've looked closely then you'll have noticed that they aren't random.

Over 30 local people have created a 'graffiti tour', inspired by Nottinghamshire Wildlife's 30 days wild challenge.

The volunteers of wild-NG took to the streets of Carrington armed with wildflower ID charts and chalks to identify and mark wildflowers.

Each plant spotted was labelled with chalk with the aim of highlighting the nature around us.

In just over an hour the volunteers, which included families, found and labelled 44 species of wildflower on the streets of the suburb.

Spotting nature everywhere (Trish Evans)

Trish Evans, one of the founding members of the group, said: "Our project is all about community, and we have been overwhelmed by the response to wild-NG so far. We love where we live, and we want to improve our streets and neighbourhoods so they not only continue to buzz and thrive with nature, but that our local area becomes an example of how, through community connections and engagement, wildlife can significantly grow and improve."

Wild-NG is a Nottingham project led by local residents living in the Carrington, Sherwood, Basford and Mapperley areas of Nottingham City.

The organisation says that each species of wildflower is important but also vibrant in its message. They said: "Many streets are being sprayed each spring by herbicide (poisonous chemicals) which in turn not only kills the plant but also bees and all other insects and animals which connect with it.

A poppy spotted growing is a Carrington street (Trish Evans)

"So wild.NG is heading a campaign called #poisonfreepavements and this first event was designed to highlight how by noticing nature, we can care for it more and nurture it more.

The group added: "We will be encouraging local residents to write to the City Council to complain about the use of herbicides and also writing an open letter."

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