- Green innovators show how STEM learning creates our landscapes
- Renowned industry experts share their experience
- Learn how horticulture is an applied climate science
- Be inspired by green career options
Green Innovators (including horticulturists, landscape architects and ecologists) from British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Provender Nurseries, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Q&S Commercial Landscapes and Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) will be at STAND K10 at New Scientist Live at London’s Excel from 10–12 October 2026. The Green Innovators team will demonstrate how science and problem-solving skills influence our environments.
Visitors will be able to discover the people, ideas and innovations behind the green sector and explore how professionals are helping to address challenges including biodiversity, climate resilience and the future of our urban environments.
Activities on the stand include:
- Tree sensors from Kew Gardens showing real data from trees on the stand
- A dinosaur age tree! See a rare Wollemi Pine, once thought extinct
- A board game for players to develop their own community garden, prioritising different benefits
- An interactive urban gardening display to explore creating sustainable landscapes and the science behind organically managed green spaces
- Growing station demonstrating the science behind plants, light and growing media
- Tessellation challenges to test your landscape architect skills
- Careers centre showcasing some of the fabulous people and roles in the sector
Over the weekend the show is open to the public and expects to attract around 20,000 visitors. New Scientist Live’s Schools’ Day on 12 October is designed for pupils across Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 and features dedicated STEM careers content, with sessions exploring future careers that will make a difference, including those which do not yet exist. Kevin Martin, Head of Tree Collections at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will address students from the Inspire stage.
Green Innovators will use the opportunity to show the visitors to New Scientist Live how careers involving plants and landscapes can combine science, technology, creativity, design and environmental problem-solving.
Christina Walker, Green Innovator organiser said, “We aim to inspire and educate people of the contribution made by horticulture and landscape professionals, to encourage a more diverse new generation to consider the sector as a STEM career.”
Exhibit Partner Quotes
Jonathan Pettit, BALI adds “”As the UK’s leading trade association for the Landscaping Industry, we are thrilled to be involved with New Scientist Live. Improved water management, planting to cool cities, adapted planting schemes – all things being done by talented, skilled, and committed professionals in the landscaping sector to mitigate the impact of climate change. BALI’s members, and the wider environmental horticulture industry, are playing a vital role in helping to meet the climate challenges that we are all facing.
But it does more than that. Access to green space helps people as well as the planet. From balconies and small back gardens, public open spaces, to our greatest parks, being in well designed and maintained green space improves individual health and wellbeing, reduces risk of disease, and makes communities resilient.
Why wouldn’t you want to be part of all of that? For almost 10 years, GoLandscape has been asking that question; providing information on the meaningful, worthwhile, lifelong careers that the industry has to offer and how you can find your way into them. It has become the leading resource for anyone looking to find out more about training, skills, and jobs in landscaping industry. Whether you are practical, artistic, investigative, academic, or want to inspire others, this industry can offer it all.”
Helen Sessions Membership and External Relations Manager, The Chartered Institute of Horticulture
“Horticulture touches every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the green spaces we enjoy. Through our support of New Scientist Live, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture is proud to highlight the exciting and diverse career opportunities our profession offers.”
Kevin Martin, Head of Tree Collections at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
“Horticulture is so much more than growing plants, it’s a science-led industry tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change and biodiversity loss to food security. Bringing Green Innovators to New Scientist Live gives us a brilliant opportunity to show people the science, innovation and exciting career opportunities behind horticulture, and inspire the next generation to see themselves as part of it.”
Richard McKenna of Provender Nurseries
“We are proud to showcase horticulture as a vital, high-skill STEM pathway essential for tackling climate change. We actively combat the green sector’s skills shortage by providing direct, on-the-job learning environments across our commercial operations. Through structured work experience placements and insightful student visits, we bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. We invest heavily in professional advancement—facilitating crucial technical certifications, training in advanced operational mechanics, and developing the complex spatial and logistical skills needed to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Sue Payne, Managing Director of Q&S
“Modern horticulture isn’t just the chance to be outside getting your hands dirty! It’s soil science, biodiversity strategy, carbon sequestration and urban cooling. Horticulture is one of the most quietly impactful STEM careers out there, and not nearly enough young people know about it. It is vital that we showcase these green skills and opportunities more effectively, inspiring the next generation.”
Natalie Boynton, Co-President and Founder YPHA
“New Scientist Live is exactly the sort of place horticulture needs to be, putting our industry in front of thousands of young people who are already excited by science, technology and the world around them, and showing them just how many of the challenges they care about horticulture is at the root of solving. We can’t keep being frustrated that people aren’t stumbling into horticulture if we haven’t made the path into it clear. We need to show up, show them what’s here, and make it much easier for them to see where they could fit.”
