Wild Nature in the City

Independent Dance presents a series of public lunchtime talks and walks inviting an awareness of, and a response to the wildness and elemental in the city. Curated by ID with dance artist Rosemary Lee, the four experts will share their particular passion for the urban wild and help us to perceive what we often pass unnoticed, take for granted or literally cannot see.

"Does 'urban nature' sound like an oxymoron?" asks Ken Thompson who will be leading this talk and walk.

"If so, where does 'wild nature' begin? In fact, there are few wilder places than the average private garden, and the only reason this isn't more obvious is that most of its inhabitants are too small to be easily noticed. In this talk we'll take a look at some of these remarkably numerous, beautiful and even dangerous (but not to us!) creatures, and then go on a quick foray and see if we can find any of them. With luck, you might go back to work with a better idea of what a surprising place the world really is."

Ken Thompson is a senior lecturer at Sheffield University, where he has been since 1990. He conducts research into plant ecology, edits two scientific journals, and writes popular books about the science of gardening. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, walking, reading and supporting Plymouth Argyle football club.