Date: 12th February 2026

Time: 4:00pm

Location: 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1DA

Urbanisation is changing the face of world’s landscapes, but our towns and cities can also provide crucial habitats for wildlife.

In this talk, Dr. Willow Neal from The Open University’s School of Earth, Environment and Ecosystem Sciences explores the surprising biodiversity found in urban areas, including what you might expect to find in Belfast’s green corridors, Derry’s riversides, and community gardens across the region.

With a focus on butterflies, including the Cryptic Wood White, a species only found in Ireland, Willow will share their research into innovative conservation tools, like AI-powered butterfly identification, and highlight ways urban spaces can become sanctuaries for both wildlife and people.

You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of how even the smallest patch of nature can help protect biodiversity for the future, including what you can do to support wildlife in your own garden.