Project 2Biodiversity

Alex BeaumontB E A 1 1 3 2 7 3 2 3

PLANT off

Brief Research initial ideas plant off

brief

other thing theory

- To be Interactive / Proactive

- Create awareness for importance of biodiversity in urban areas.

- Reconnect humans with nature

- Work alongside an established organisation

- Transform disused spaces

- Reintroduce of native plants

- Ensure accessible information available

- Create a cost effective solution to problem.

Environments Products

Controlling Biodiversity

Intercultural Behaviour

Mental Evolution

Subordinates of nature, Born into our culture, Integration by choice

Recreating our environment, Human Input

Differences/Similarities, Human behaviour similarities with ants

State of making everything easier, Pauses physical evolution

Team formed.

Blog: otherthingtheory.tumblr.com

Team AIMS

biodiversity

Research

Global Biodiversity Outlook 2010

Initial research into what is already being done by those in power

and the statistics of how successful government action plans are.

The report shows that almost all targets set to improve biodi-

versity across the world, spanning all issues, have not been met.

Clearly it is down to the public to start changing things one bit at

a time.

UNEP Biodiversity Publication

Sections from the publication which we took interest in, looking into specific problems:

Genetic diversity is being lost in natural ecosystems and in systems of crop and live-

stock production. Importatnt progress is being made to conserve plant genetic diversity,

especially using ex situ seed banks.

Invasive alien species continue to be a major threat to all types of ecosystems and

species. There are no signs of a significant reduction of this pressure on biodiversity, and

some indications that it is increasing.

Natural History Museum

As a group we visited the Natural History

Museum to soak up some inspiration and to try

and spark some ideas for our biodiversity topic.

We found it very beneficial going out as a

group, talking about ideas along the way and

picking up new information.

Guerrilla Gardening

Gardening on abandoned land, or land that is not

cared for by anyone. Usually done in secrecy,

converting derilict land into a vegetable patch or a

flower garden, in an effort to make the area of use

or more attractive.

The first recorded was in 1973, Ney York. Since

then it has grown into a form of pro-activism, with

numerous social networks and communities.

London Wildlife Trust is the only charity dedicated solely to

protecting the capitals wildlife and wild spaces.

Thier mission:

- Campaign to protect Londons wildlife and natural spaces

- Engage, inspire and enable Londoners to learn about and

enhance their local environment

- Manage land for wildlife with local partners to high

standards

- Raise public awareness and inf luence policy-makers so

that wise decisions are made concerning Londons wildlife

and natural spaces and peoples access to it

professional talks

The london orchard project is a fairly recent initiative

promoting orchards and fruit trees in London. They

work with communities to plant and harvest apple,

pear and plum trees to help rediscover the pleasures

of eating home-grown fruit. Just because its a city

doesnt mean we cant use the natural spaces around.

Trees for Cities is a charity that aims to in-

spire people to plant and love trees worldwide,

creating a social cohesion through tree planting

and education. They manage projects across the

UK and Worldwide.

Community-led design is an integral part of the

landscaping projects. Involving local residents,

schools and community groups helps ensure the

sustainability of these green spaces.Kews Millennium Seed Bank Partnership aims to save

plants worldwide with a focus on plants most at risk and

most useful for the future, for example medicine.

Plants provide the air we breathe, clean water and we all

rely on plants for food. Today, around 100,000 species of

plant are faced with the threat of extinction.

Plants are dying out largely due to human activities..

Clearing of primary vegetation, over-exploitation and

climate change are all causing species losses.

A 4.2m scheme to plant one million trees over the next four years has been unveiled

by the government.

It will see trees planted in urban areas of England that need them most, aiming to

reverse declines in the rates in the number of trees being planted in towns and cities.

Trees for Cities and the Tree Council will be involved in the Big Tree Plant scheme.

volunteering

We decided to volunteer for a Trees for Cities

planting day after speaking with them about

what they do. It was great helping out, talking

with other participants and getting out in the

fresh air! Afterward there is this satisfying sense

of achievement, one which I think many could

benefit from.

- Age range. Majority 40+. No youth

- Most new to experience, few regular

members

- Full enthusiasm and interest

- Freindly atmosphere

We would of liked to have seen more people

our age participating. Our target audience then

is the youth, and to create something engaging

that communicates to that age range.

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Planting Disused Spaces

There is a vast amount of disused spaces

around London. These buildings may have

had a purpose in the past but now they

are just skeletons.

By encoraging people to occupy these

spaces with plants, we would be putting

new life into the empty shells, forming

structural lungs for the city. Donations

from nursaries would kick start growth.

Seed Scatter Project

Inspired by the talk from Kew Gardens, covering extinction rates

and options with regards to replanting and introducing near-extinct

plants into their original area or a new area.

Which would in turn increase the biodiversity. Our aim would be to

promote the scattering of seeds, maybe specific seeds in designated

locations.

initial ideas Biodiversity Supermarket

This adresses the lack of contact between people in the

city and nature mentioned by London Wildlife Trust. We

are familiar and safe around brands and products that we

consume.

An interactive supermarket infographic where the number of

products stacked on the shelves represents the number of

this species left in the UK. By taking them off the shelf

ie. buying the product, users would literally be decreasing

the number of certain species. This could then effect other

shelves and the overall supermarkets biodiversity to show

participants the consequences of their actions.

Track My Seed

Participants are encouraged to take ownership a plant, planted somewhere in the city.

Status and growth of the plant are recorded, via a mobile app or website, and can be

shared amongst a community.

A range of competitions would run to keep users interested. Such as planting in the

most outrageous location or the most plants in an area.

Survey plant research

Most of the research conducted and initial ideas revolve around plants.

We agreed it was important to find out about species of native plants and

also thier different growing requirements. This would ensure the best chance of

growth in urban areas. This included plants across all seasons and conditions.

Hesperis matronalis - Sweet Rocket

- Llilac and purple flowers

- Sweet and spicy fragrance.

- Attracts beneficial insects.

- Hardy Biennial.

- Parts of these flowers are edible.

- Position: sun or semi shade

Primula veris - Cowslip

- Meadow and hedge row plant

- Fragrant lemon yellow blooms.

- Easy to grow in sun or part shade.

- Flowers spring. Height 23cm (9in).

- Parts of these flowers are edible.

- Position: sun or semi shade

Glaucium corniculatum Burnt Orange - Horned Poppy

- An unusual deep orange

- Easy to grow even on poor soils

- Ideal for direct sowing in spring.

- Position: full sun

92 Percent believe there is not enough biodiversity in their area.

38 percent believe they do not contribute enough to the environment.

82 percent would like to participate in increasing biodiversity.

- Age range - Majority

moss graffiti seed delivery

As a method of green promotion moss graffiti would reduce waste

products and act as a natural inoffensive paint.

Ingredients: Moss, Natural Yoghurt, Water gel, Water, Sugar

Steps. Collect - Mix - Blend - Spread - Wait

We decided to test out the method to see if it would be suitable

for our project, for advertising and spraeding message.

Clay Seed Grenades

For the random seed scatter. Pack mixed

seeds into a clay shell and thow in your

desired spot.

There are many methods of

spreading seeds, particularly in

urban areas and for guerilla

gardening practices.

Seed Paper

Can be used for printed material such

as business cards or card shapes. Seeds

pressed into paper during production.

Seed Bombs

A mix of seeds and dirt compressed

into a grow bomb. Can be catapulted or

placed directly in the ground.

aim

message

concept

plant off

To encourage and re-establish contact

between people and plants whilst increasing

native biodiversity.

A territorial plant tagging competition where

teams battle to transform urban areas into

a greener landscape by planting seasonal

seeds.

The competition consists of 3 teams, whose

mission it is to secure sections of the

battleground by planting the most seeds.

The competition is split into seasons, each

featuring carefully selected native plants

as ammo, suited to the time of year for

optimum grow potential.

Participants join the competition and are put

into one team. Team specific seed ammo

packs can then be purchased via the website.

A live battleground map on the website

shows the locations of current planted seeds

and which sections they are in.

Users then plant in a chosen area,

photograph the tag via the mobile app and

upload to the main battleground map. The

team with the most seeds planted in a

section takes it. Next invade another teams

space to make it your own!

By actively participating we have the ability to

change and improve the environment around us.

To create a campaign that encourages the urban

youth to reconnect with nature.

JOIN PURCHAsE

PLANTUPLOADshare

map

LOCATE

invade

identity

plant off

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Plant Off

1. Team colours

2. Battleground Map

3. Poster example

4. Typefaces (descending): Rex Bold, Rex

Inline, Rex Light, Rara Dolor.

1.

2.

3.

4.

prototypes

JOIN

share

map invade

seeds

UPLOAD

LOCATE

PLANT

www.plantoff .com

SPring

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JOIN seeds LOCATE

PLANTshare UPLOAD

map invade

Plant off

www.plantoff .com

SPring

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tag

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JOIN PURCHAsE LOCATE

PLANTshare UPLOAD

map invadeplant off

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BACK

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Seed delivery

- Seed cards

- Seed tags

- Tear-off seed tabs

but only cost effective if bought in bulk.

We decided a lino stamp would be

suitable for producing ammo for green

week and the tags would be printed

digitally. Tag is left on show after user

plants and photographs for upload to map.

Out of the seed bombing methods the

seed paper seemed to be the most

appropriate. Its clean, easy to carry and

printable. A business card size would fit

in a pocket, wallet or one of the ammo

pouches. Digital printing would be ideal

- Ammo pouch

- Seedbag

- Lino prints

website app concept

1. Splash screen

2. Promo video

3. Seed Store

4. Camera/uploader

5. Battleground

1.

4.3.

2.

5.

seed ammored

seed ammoblue

seed ammoyellow

Features:

- Profile creator

- Random team selector

- Live Battleground map displaying

users plant tags showing which

team owns which territory.

- Seed Store for ammo purchase

- Team events

- Promo video

Facebook was used to form a Plant

Off Base as it is the largest and

most well known social database,

making it simple for people to get

involved. To build an interactive map

for a website was out of our skill set

but using facebook as a Beta version

would allow users to upload thier

photos and tag thier team with the

seeds locaion, atleast for Green Week

promo video

Green week exhibition

preparation

- Seed Cards

- Badges

- Display Pots

- Logo Banner

- LogoTree Wrap

- Hoodie

- Team Flags

Future for Plant Off

To start Plant Off will be tested

on a controlled battleground, in

Elephant and Castle as seen. From

there it can be refined and upscaled

across other London Boroughs.

Once a live map is up and running

alonside the website and store the

process will become much smoother

and therefore more engaging. The

app should appeal to our audience,

with the aim of starting a trend.

Around 100 seed ammo cards were

made from seed paper, a lino stamp,

string and the team tags. These

were given out during the exhibition

with encouragement and infomation

about the competition. The promo

video was an efficient method of

explaining the idea, with people

taking genuine interested in the

concept.