Recorded live at the London National Park City Visitor Centre (80 Mortimer Street), host Michael Shilling speaks with Oli Back, Head of Operations at Street Trees for Living (STfL).

We dig into how community-led planting and long-term care can transform streets: from sponsorship and guardianship, to cooling overheated playgrounds, to tackling tree equity and choosing the right tree, right place — and right reason. We also cover timelines, funding realities, and simple ways you can get involved in your neighbourhood.

In this episode

• Bottom-up planting that lasts: sponsorship, guardianship and three-year care
• Shade, cooling and calmer streets around schools
• Tree equity: targeting low-canopy, high-need areas
• Species choice and the “right tree, right place (and right reason)” approach
• Practical routes to action for residents, businesses and schools

Links & resources

• Street Trees for Living — home: streettreesforliving.org
• Sponsor a street tree (Lewisham residents): I’m a Lewisham Resident
• Schools programme: Plant Trees — I’m a School
• Targeted planting & vacant pits: Grow Back Together
• How to get new trees planted (Lewisham Council): lewisham.gov.uk guidance
• Citywide strategy: London Urban Forest Partnership (GLA)
• Explore trees near you: TreeTalk map
• Environmental data hub: GiGL – Greenspace Information for Greater London
• Visit us: London National Park City Visitor Centre
• Join the movement: London National Park City – website | Join the community

Credits
Recorded live during Open House Festival London.
Host: Michael Shilling (London National Park City).
Guest: Oli Back (Street Trees for Living).

Underground Connections: London Fungi Festival (4–12 Oct 2025)

Artist–educator Poppy Flint and Lex from Fat Fox Mushrooms join Do London Differently to reveal how art, sound and science come together for a week-long celebration of fungi across London — including (un)common threads, a free interactive exhibition at the London National Park City Visitor Centre, plus Shroom Sunday, workshops and a guided “Walk Under the Trees”.

Programme & tickets

• Festival hub & full listings: London Fungi Festival

Exhibition

• Free drop-in exhibition (4–12 Oct): (un)common threads
  
  

Guests & collaborators

• Urban mycology lab & workshops: Fat Fox Mushrooms
• Interactive systems & lighting: Bailes & Light
  
  

Research thread mentioned

• Profile: Dr Laura Martinez-Suz (Kew Gardens)
• Background explainer: Europe’s forest fungi & nitrogen deposition
• Supporter: British Mycological Society – Massee Arts Grant
  
  

In this episode: biosonification soundscapes; why nitrogen pollution reshapes fungal diversity; cultivating UK-native strains; mycelium materials you can make at home; and a “loosely guided” walk that sends imaginations underground.

What if walking was more than just a way to get from A to B?
In this episode of Do London Differently, author Annabel Abbs (also writing as Annabel Streets) shares the powerful benefits of walking for health, wellbeing and inspiration.

We talk about her books Windswept, 52 Ways to Walk and The Walking Cure, and explore why walking matters — from London’s hidden gardens and Wren’s churches to the science of sea air, forest terpenes and mountain hormones.

👣 Topics covered:

• Benefits of walking for mental and physical health
• Hidden walking routes in London, from Temple Gardens to the City
• How posture and small walking hacks build confidence and endurance
• Walking in cemeteries and finding perspective in grief and gratitude
• The London Walking Festival and making walking more accessible

If you love walking, London’s history or exploring the science of wellbeing, this episode is for you.

📚 Learn more about Annabel Abbs