Wilder streets, richer in nature.
With around 84% of the UK population living in an urban area, it has never been more important to make our cities and towns more wildlife friendly.
Did you know that 10% of pesticide use in the UK happens in urban spaces? Spraying of these chemicals is concentrated in the areas that we walk through on our way to work or school, and the places our communities spend free time such as parks and sports fields.
This makes urban spaces the second highest cause of pesticide exposure, behind food. This has harmful effects for not just our wildlife and waterways, but pets and people too. Several of the 38 different types of pesticides used in towns and cities across the UK have been classed as possible or probable carcinogens.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, as a ‘probable human carcinogen’. Pesticide use spells disaster for wildlife, by turning our fields and road verges into green deserts, they remove the wildflowers relied upon by the insects which are essential for our birds and other wildlife.
Many pesticides, including glyphosate, easily dissolve in water and end up in our rivers and streams, wreaking havoc for aquatic wildlife. As the body of evidence for the harmful effect of pesticides on people and planet grows, more towns and cities are opting to reduce or ban chemical pesticide use.
We need pesticide and herbicide-free streets, for wildlife, for our communities, for our own health.
How can you take action?
Psst! It's really easy, and you can make a big difference!
This campaign pack takes you through exactly what you need to know about wildling your street and taking action for nature. With letter/email templates for writing to your councillor, to a timeline for action.
Click on the pack to download your own copy!
Pledge to wild your street here, and get a monthly newsletter with updates from the campaign as well as top tips on how to get your local councils to take action for nature!
What have we done so far?
Take a look at some of the things we've been up to.
Urban Nature Day
Every year UK Youth for Nature runs an urban nature day in a major city in the UK. In 2023, that was Liverpool, 2024 in Bristol, and 2025 were coming to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Urban Nature Day is a free and accessible day, connecting young people up with their local urban environment, with creative and campaigning workshops, nature walks, panels, talks and art installations.
In 2023, we focused on access to nature, in 2024 we focused on local action for our Your Wild Streets work. In 2025 we will have even more exciting things to offer, so keep an eye on our socials, or sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date.
