Sweden
The eighth international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2026 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
Our project Green (un)seen joins this international celebration with a playful science-art intervention in urban spaces around the world, leaving handwritten, thought-provoking letters about plant blindness in unexpected public places—libraries, bus stops, train stations, and other everyday corners, accompanied by tiny locally made artworks, such as collages, micro-art, painted stones, and other small surprises.
Passers-by might unexpectedly come across these letters, take a moment to pause, reflect, and share their reactions with us through a curated landing page. In this way, Green (un)seen becomes more than a local intervention: it grows into a global, connected, and interactive experience that links cities, stories, and perspectives through a shared invitation to notice the plant world differently, realising the essential role they play in sustaining life and changing our habits in shaping our future.
You are warmly invited to join us: here
The focus in grade 3 when the pupils come to the Nature School of Nynäshamn is Ancient Technologies. These technologies are mostly based on the knowledge of plants. The Technologies that the pupils will try or be told about are these:
- The pupils carve a stone age aerophone in wood from the linden tree (Tilia cordata). The aerophone could maybe be used like an instrument, a communication tool or a bear scarer.
- The pupils make fire with fire steel, flint stone, tinder, birch bark (Betula pendula) and juniper (Juniperus communis). But to save the junipers (and time) we use sisal (Agave sisalana) instead. Tinder is made from the tree fungus (Fomes fomentarius), but to save this fungus that grows on birches and beech trees we use coaled worn-out fabrics made from cotton (Gossypium).
- The pupils grind flour with stones. We use wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum) to make flour and make stone age bread that the pupils eat. If there is time left, we let the pupils chew resin from fir-tree (Picea abies). It was good for the teeth’ health back then due to the antibacterial function.
Come join us celebrating the birthday of Carl von Linné and the Fascination of Plants Day. Students and postdocs from the Department of Plant Biology at SLU in Uppsala join the Linneean gradens in the celebration of one of Uppsalas greatest scientists. We arrange plant experiments suitable for children and give short talks directed towards adults.
Pollination Week offers knowledge mingling about biodiversity and pollinators at Forse Cidergård outside Rörum, Österlen. What will you experience?
– How we connect apple cultivation and biodiversity, Elisabeth Knöppel, Forse Cidergård
– Become part of Operation Humlepälsbi – this is how you can support, Anna Lind Lewin, Pollinate Sweden
– Lecture about bees and other pollinators by Ola Jennersten, formerly WWF
– How to build your own bee hotel with clay that is suitable for bumblebees, Martin Stoltze / Drakängen
– Guided tour of the grounds at the newly opened Forse Cidergård
– Pollination coffee (indicate interest when you register)
– Cider tasting (booked via link in the pdf)