National wildflower footpath proposal

Thanks, I think it's a good idea too, the problem is how to convince the majority of people in Britain of the benefits. It would have to be something beautiful, spectacular, full of surprises and variety, something we felt very proud of creating.

I really like your idea about schools and communities involvement. Footpaths connect and if schools or community groups had the opportunity to be responsible for certain parts of the footpath it would be a way for them not only to interact with their environment but also with other groups responsible for other parts of the path. Ideally the Wildflower Super Highway should connect people across the whole of Britain.

Thanks for your positive comment, I like the app idea. Yes there is already a network of footpaths across Britain but they are often not connected well, sometimes required walking along a busy road and sometimes very narrow and poorly maintained. I suppose my idea is to create something quite different from our existing footpaths, something that says walking, enjoying being in the landscape and experiencing how humans can interact with nature in a positive and inspiring way is not a small minority thing, it's a big, really important thing. For the Wildflower Super Highway to come about it would need a huge commitment and require a massive shift in society as to what our priorities are. But the ideas come first and then who knows what can happen.

Yes they would! But plants don't mind a bit of pee and will spring back if walked on. My idea is totally mad and ambitious but if realised it would be a grand statement, needing whole armies of tramplers and peepers to have any hope of spoiling.

We must continue with action to save insects and pollinators. One way to help with such issues is to involve school children. Each school can maintain their own part of the natural footpath. Parents can get involved. Education alongside action is the only way - a great way to build communities too.

I think the main reason people's behaviour is damaging is because there is a lack of connection, empathy and understanding about our environment. Yes, if there were less people a lot of things in general would be easier but people will not just conveniently disappear so we need to engage them with the wonders and possibilities of the natural world and show how humanity can interact with it in a positive and inspiring way.

I understand totally the points your making. But should we close all footpaths because some people misuse them? Also my idea for a wildflower super highway is to create a very long and in some places wide footpath and in my experience long footpaths tend to escape the worst effects if the inconsiderate.