From Belfast to Brunswick: Urban Greening is a people job

Getting trees in the ground is mostly a challenge of getting people – and their systems and organisations – on board. ​In this relaxed session at the heart of RMIT, hear from two experienced leaders who have walked the talk for decades. ​

Dr Mark Johnston has spent a lifetime working with trees for the benefit of people and their environment. This began in the late 1970s as a London tree officer. His experiences led him to establish the basic principles of a community involvement programme with its essential elements of education, consultation and practical participation. Mark then applied these ideas to several major urban forestry initiatives in Britain and Ireland. This included projects in London, Dublin, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast and various national programmes. His contribution has been acknowledged with several national and international awards.

Alex English is the Principal Open Space Planner at Merri-bek. He spends most days navigating the often-competing community demands on parks and streetscapes to plan and deliver park upgrades, collaborating on waterway restoration projects while sneaking in greening wherever possible. Prior to joining local government, Alex wrote travel and language guides to China, Tibet, and the Koreas; worked in nature reserves on the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolian steppe and North Korean border; led early economic research on China’s green transition; and contributes to the protection of fragile ecosystems.

From Belfast to Brunswick is hosted by the Urban Greening Network and the Centre for Urban Research Regenerative Environments & Climate Action team. The event is supported by the Urban Futures Enabling Impact Platform.