As a complementary format to the World Biodiversity Forum, the #Krautschau invites citizens, conference participants and passers-by to (re)discover the often-overlooked plants of urban spaces. Using chalk, the names of wild plants growing between paving stones, in wall crevices or along sidewalks are written directly on the ground – in the local language, in English or with their botanical names.
This low-threshold, interactive activity creates a bridge between environmental education, artistic intervention (street art in the best sense of the word), and biodiversity research. It makes urban plant diversity visible, sparks conversations, and invites people to explore ecological connections right in their everyday surroundings. By combining science communication with creative expression, it engages a wide audience – from curious children to casual passers-by to the Forum participants.
During the Forum, #Krautschau will be organised as a public and participatory event that brings the Forum into the town of Davos and creates walking routes through the city, highlighting the beauty and resilience of spontaneous urban vegetation. The action draws attention to the value of urban biodiversity and encourages dialogue on the relationship between humans and nature in urban contexts.
This format has been carried out in numerous cities and several countries in recent years. It is also documented and shared via social media under the hashtag #Krautschau and #MoreThanWeeds etc, connecting local observations to a global conversation on biodiversity in everyday life.
In doing so, #Krautschau adds a tangible, sensory dimension to the scientific discussions of the Forum and carries the message of biodiversity visibly into public space – both on the streets and online.