Voxpop: Wildlife in the city

Members of the public are being called upon to vote for Cardiff’s nature project.

‘Discover the Diff’ is one of the finalists shortlisted to become the Grow Wild Wales flagship.

The winner will receive £120,000 to transform an iconic landmark in their city and improve unloved areas with native plants and wildflowers.

The ‘Discover the Diff’ campaign aims to bring nature to busy and downtrodden urban areas in new ways.

Its centrepiece will be a natural wildflower green wall on the Boardwalk alongside the Millennium Stadium.

The ‘Discover the Diff’ campaign wants to inspire both communities and businesses to go green.

Project leader Phil Burkhard said: “The project is about captivating and inspiring different communities across Cardiff with the story of nature in the city, and the difference it can make to our lives.”

We took to the streets to find out how people feel about bringing wildlife into the capital.

What’s do you think of using wildlife and wildflowers to improve rundown urban areas of Cardiff?

Francesca Freeman, 22, Bar Associate, Canton.

“I think that working nature into a city just makes it look nicer. Everybody’s talking about global warming and that there is no place for bird’s or wildlife and not enough plants for the bees so I think doing something about that is great.”

Joseph Smith, 79, Retired, Cardiff.

“I’m all for planting, I love gardening it’s my best hobby. I’d like to see more of that in the city centre, because as you can see, people from all over the world come here, so to show them our wildlife in the city would be a good idea.”

Cerys-Louise Mitchell, 18, Student, Maesteg.

“I think it’s a nice idea, maybe it will bring more tourism. It will be a prettier site than just all the modern stuff that they have going on.”

Evan Gardner, 25, Singer/Songwriter, Rhondda Valleys.

“I think it sounds really cool. It will make the city look really organic and raw. Wales is known for its greenery and colours so I think it would be nice to see in the city centre. Brighten it up a bit!”

Josh James, 21, Student, Carlisle.

“I know that Cardiff is one of the most green cities in Europe and that’s one of the reasons I came here originally. So to know that is Cardiff really making the most of that is really good to see.”

Tracy Elliott, 48, Police Officer, Cardiff.

“I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg in improving the city centre. But I think it will make people feel better. Flowers are lovely to look at and I think it’s just good for the community.”

Grow Wild’s Campaign

The creation of the flagship site will be the next phase of Grow Wild’s dynamic nationwide UK project to inspire communities, friends, neighbours and individuals to come together to transform local spaces by sowing, growing and enjoying native wildflowers.

The project, together with Cwmbran’s Urban Buzzz and Gwent Wildlife Trust’s Furnace to Flowers are the three finalists.

To Vote for ‘Discover the Diff’: http://votewales.growwilduk.com/#site/discoverthediff or call 0808 228 7202.

You can also get involved in the online conversation by using #DiscoverTheDiff.