To continue our vision, stalls sprouted in the dawn of the following day, where citizens flocked in vast numbers to immerse themselves in surroundings of sustainable ink art, scents of naturally sourced bath bombs, melodies of home-grown musicians, and the tangible sense of unity. In our prestigious position representing Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and the Keeping It Wild team, we engaged with the public to promote the one of the most successful and rewarding nature campaigns: 30 Days Wild throughout the month of June. We demonstrated the crafts of seed bomb making and washing up bowl ponds to the crowds to inspire and disperse a green revolution. To assume each conversation was one-sided is an injustice; every discussion, every word, spread the stories of nature champions and their admirable adaptability, valuable lessons shared, traded for wildflower seeds (red clover, borage, meadow cranesbill to name a few).

Words were exceedingly powerful in my experience of the Green Hustle. The chats with passers-by could only be matched by the talks and presentations by enthused experts of bats, foraging and more. The fun and engaging education alongside the packs of wildflower seeds promised a lasting impact beyond the two-day celebrations. Most notably, the community spirit and unifying of thoughts was echoed through the square once more as the appearance of flowers in commemoration of the tragic loss of life which devastated the city merely weeks later. In this year’s legacy of the Green Hustle festival, we are reminded of the collective power of many people, from many different places, who possess the hearts and minds to conserve and preserve the beautiful wildlife of our county.