Sam Booth brings citizen science to Green Hustle Festival

How does tending an allotment influence the wildlife that lives there, and how does that, in turn, shape our connection to nature?

These are the kinds of questions being explored by a new project from the University of Nottingham, led by academic Sam Booth from the School of Geography. Funded by the University’s Institute for Policy and Engagement, the Citizen-Monitoring of Urban Agriculture Biodiversity (CUAB) project invites local growers to become citizen scientists and take an active role in monitoring biodiversity across urban food-growing spaces.

As CUAB prepares to pilot at St Ann’s Allotments, one of the UK’s oldest and most iconic growing communities, the project is heading to Green Hustle Festival to share its story and invite more people into the conversation.

Gathering community insights to shape a biodiversity monitoring programme

Over the past few weeks, Sam Booth has hosted a series of focus groups at the St Ann’s Allotments visitor centre. These informal gatherings brought together a range of allotment holders, some with decades of growing experience, and others just starting out, to talk about biodiversity and how they notice, monitor and care for wildlife on their plots, as well as what participation in a citizen science monitoring programme would entail.

These relaxed conversations offered a wealth of insight. Participants shared observations about pollinators, birds, frogs, fungi, and the often-invisible life in the soil. Common themes emerged: the need for flexible, easy-to-use tools, the desire to fit monitoring into daily allotment routines, and concern about species decline. The sessions also highlighted digital barriers and other challenges, helping shape a programme that is grounded in the realities of everyday growing.

“We didn’t want to come in with a set ideas of what biodiversity monitoring should look like. It was about listening—really listening—to how people already engage with nature and what kind of support they would need to take part in citizen science meaningfully.” - Samuel Booth

Co-creating a citizen science approach

What sets CUAB apart is its collaborative spirit. Rather than imposing a rigid method, the project is co-designed with the people who know their growing spaces best. The aim is to support growers in recording everyday wildlife using simple, accessible guides and short videos, making it possible for anyone to contribute, regardless of scientific background.

Through this citizen science approach, CUAB hopes to gather valuable data on how different growing practices influence biodiversity. But it also goes deeper, exploring how noticing and connecting with nature can support wellbeing, strengthen our sense of place, and foster care for local environments.

As Sam puts it: “The success of citizen science depends not just on data, but on relationships, trust, respect, and recognising the knowledge and capacity of those who take part.”

Join us to discover more about CUAB at the Green Hustle Festival on 31st May

At Green Hustle Festival, visitors will have a chance to experience CUAB for themselves. Sam will be leading a showcase that will feature highlights from the St Ann’s pilot, including early findings and a look at the co-created training materials.

A standout feature of the display will be the Projection Augmented Relief Model (PARM), a 3D interactive model that brings the allotment landscape to life, visually mapping the connections between people, plants, and wildlife. It is a hands-on way to explore how urban nature works and why it matters.

Whether you are a keen gardener, an eco-curious local, or someone who simply enjoys green spaces, CUAB is a reminder that biodiversity isn’t just something ‘out there’, it’s right here, in our cities, in our communities, and under our feet.

The University of Nottingham will have a stall at the Green Hustle Festival. We invite you to come by the stall to discover and learn how small acts of noticing and recording can lead to big insights and how you can be part of a growing community helping to protect biodiversity.