Eureka Flags:

A spark of imagination to mark your inspiration from nature and prepare for the UN International Year of Biodiversity in 2010.

The idea started out originally as a focus for a creative conservation event Landlife staged at the Eden Project in 2006, with the simple question - What inspired your original interest in nature? We have repeated this with slightly varying themes at different venues such as the Welsh National Botanic Garden and local events at the National Wildflower Centre.

The idea was warmly received by Professor Norbert Muller and became a celebratory outcome from the Urbio 2008 Urban Ecology meeting in Erfurt, Germany. Following the successful presentation of the Erfurt flags to both the Urbio 2008 Conference and the Mayors' Conference in Bonn, the flags were displayed at IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona last October. The initiative received the support of Sebastian Winkler, Head of Countdown 2010.

The flags decorated the opening event at Barcelona Maritime Museum and the Barcelona waterfront at Port Vell, before moving to front of the main Congress building decorating the approaches to the main entrance with creative conservation messages. As participants added new items each day, growing lines of flags were strung between the trees and sculptures fronting the congress itself.

Sebastian Winkler , Head of Countdown 2010, has joined forces with Landlife to bring the initiative closer to a larger audience while reminding countries of their commitments towards the 2010 biodiversity target, especially in view of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010. Prominent international figures will be asked to participate in the project by creating their own flag to catalyze more attention and to link the biodiversity community with new actors.

Artwork Urbio 2008 Ecology passion and culture document (pdf)

A very special Request: from the Countdown 2010 Secretariat word doc.

Can you think up a good alternative name for the flags?

Here are a few suggestions but we would love to hear of any other ideas, or
what you prefer. Email

1.The Eureka flags.
2. Flag your 2010 vision.
3. Wave your 2010 inspiration.
4. Flag your idea.

Landlife invites you to design your own flag!

Can you think of one thing that led you to a particular path and brought you closer to nature. Each moment is personal ­ it could be an image of something from the natural world, an event, a person or a revelation from nature which ultimately led you to an important change in life or has given a special insight or perception. At a time when much of the natural world is under threat, it is important to remind the world how everybody, everywhere takes joy and inspiration from nature and the natural world at some point in their lives.

The material you send will be used to decorate your personal flag which will
be attached to the others to form rows of flags which will be displayed at
major international public events. Exhibiting the flags at such times will
help remind decision makers that biodiversity should be kept high on the
international agenda and that swift action is needed to ensure a future for
our planet. After the WCC, the flags are continuing their world tour going
from the European Capital of Culture celebrations in Liverpool to other key
events in 2010, such as the Heads of State Summit in New York and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

Design your own flag and send it to rscott@landlife.org.uk or by post to:
Landlife, National Wildflower Centre, Court Hey Park, Liverpool L16 3NA,
United Kingdom.

Pictures from the event in Barcelona.

Pictures from the event in Germany.