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Nature in cities is disappearing—faster than we realize

City ecologists and planners are on the frontlines, tasked with protecting urban green spaces. Yet many feel paralyzed, lacking the tools and insights they need to halt this alarming trend. If nothing changes, they risk:

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Waste time and money on outdated, inefficient research methods.

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Lacking the data and tools needed to make persuasive, policy-shaping arguments for protecting green spaces.

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Watching urban ecosystems collapse—endangering our health, well-being, and the livability of our cities.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Technology, when combined with nature-based approaches, provides the precision, clarity, and solutions we need to restore and reimagine greener, healthier communities.

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Internet of Nature is the future of urban ecology

Best known for popularizing the Internet of Nature® (IoN), I spearhead a global movement leveraging emerging tech for nature-rich cities and improved public health. Innovations like firefighting robots and smart ponds blend nature with technology for urban sustainability.

Together we can make cities flourish

Hire me to inspire people, inform teams, or lead projects to implement technologies with the goal of improving urban ecosystem management.

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Inspirational

Keynotes

Book me to give keynotes, lectures or moderate events on how technology can support the preservation of urban green space and share success (and failure) stories that motivate people to act.

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2

Informative

Workshops

Invite me to facilitate a series of workshops to support your team in getting a better grasp of your particular challenges and the technology that may be used to tackle them.

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3

Implementation

Partnerships

Leverage my unique subject matter expertise to build strategic partnerships for your tech-driven (urban) forestry company or step in to advise on how to solve specific problems your team is stuck on.

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Hi, I’m Nadina

I’m a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, National Geographic Explorer, and author of THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES. As a science communicator, keynote speaker, and podcaster, I champion the Internet of Nature to reconnect people with the natural world. My work empowers green professionals to harness emerging technologies that restore urban ecosystems, improve public health, and create thriving, nature-infused communities. Whether through cutting-edge research or storytelling, I make science accessible and inspire even the staunchest city slicker to embrace nature for a healthier, happier life.

More about me

I work at the forefront of smart urban ecology

From inspirational keynotes to building partnerships, my work focuses on leveraging technology to protect the urban environment.

Keynote

Utopian Hours Keynote

Headlining the eighth edition of Utopian Hours, Europe's leading festival for city-making and urban innovation, to present my book in Turin, Italy.

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Keynote

Keynotes at the Partners in Community Forestry Conference

Delivering the opening and closing keynotes at the Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Chicago, celebrating urban forestry and community connections.

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Keynote

Dutch Book Launch – An Evening of Connection and Celebration

An unforgettable evening celebrating the Dutch translation of THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES with family, friends, colleagues, and fellow nature lovers.

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My work in the words of others

I've had the pleasure of working with passionate individuals and teams dedicated to building the urban ecosystems of the future.

Logo 880 Cities

"Nadina combines enormous knowledge, much enthusiasm, and total commitment to create a better world for all. She masterfully combines technology, nature, and people. Nadina is a superb communicator, making complicated issues understandable through her keynotes."

Gil Penalosa, Founder, 8 80 Cities and City of Toronto Mayoral Candidate (2023)
Logo Climate Campus

"Nadina’s keynotes are always spot-on. She has a remarkable view of what the world, nature, and people need in urban environments. She’s great for a breathtaking keynote, the dissemination of knowledge and launching products at the nexus of cities, ecology, and tech. With her concepts, Nadina plants nature and technology right into your heart!"

Ivo Boerdam, Innovation Coordinator, Climate Campus
Logo Landscape Ontario

"Dr. Nadina Galle's work is visionary. We were fortunate to have her speak at our Landscape Ontario Congress on the Internet of Nature. She is an excellent communicator but most importantly she is inspirational. Nadina stretches our minds and imaginations and most importantly communicates the “why” of our green profession. I highly recommend her as a keynote speaker."

Tony Di Giovanni, Executive Director, Landscape Ontario
Logo Nature Desks

"If you know Nadina and her work, or if you ended up on this website, you know she is a passionate ecology lover with a deep understanding of modern technology. We've worked together on several projects. It’s always a joy and huge inspiration to work with Nadina: she is hands-on, enthusiastic, a good listener, ambitious, and always well-prepared. For me personally one quality does stand out: her willingness to share and help out. Looking forward to many years of collaboration!"

Ioana Biris, Founder, Nature Desks
Logo A'DAM

"Nadina is a natural entrepreneur and inspiring to work with. She is a skilled communicator and a passionate leader for positive change. It was a pleasure to work with her myself, to draw on her professional enthusiasm and watch as others around her started to raise their game to keep up."

— Adam Stones, Founder, A’DAM Communications
Logo Urban Future Global Conference

"Nadina is an eloquent and sharp speaker on the topic of urban metabolism and circular economy in cities; she brought a fun and conversational dynamic to our panel and I look forward to working with her again in the future."

— Ashima Sukhdev, Government & Cities Programme Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Logo THEI

"Dr. Nadina Galle crafted an attractive speech in which she spoke eloquently on the role of emerging technologies in urban forestry. Nadina took great care to make the webinar engaging and interactive, despite the Covid-19 restrictions. I highly recommended Nadina to anyone seeking an inspiring keynote speaker."

— Dr. Caroline Law, Assistant Professor, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
Logo Erasmus University Rotterdam

"Still buzzing after an inspiring workshop by Nadina on the transformative power of urban experimentation."

— Dr. Flor Avelino, Assistant Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Logo Green Cities Europe

"Nadina delivered two presentations for Green Cities Europe. The talks were not only interesting, but the preparations were also very smooth. Nadina offers clear deliverables, solid communication, and quick decision-making without compromising quality."

— Sytse Berends, Communications Director, Green Cities Europe
Logo UVA

"Working with Nadina is always a rewarding experience: from planning to delivery, she is a dedicated project partner who goes above and beyond to ensure that students have everything they need to make the most of their education experience. She is a ready and collaborative individual with a wealth of information that stirs students’ interest in the topics at hand."

— Ian Kenny, Summer Programmes Office, University of Amsterdam
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The Nature of Our Cities

"...a deeply insightful blueprint for the future of our connection to the outdoors — and a delightful joy to read." — Robin Thurston, Founder and CEO of Outside Interactive Inc.

A stirring exploration of how innovators from around the world are combining urban nature with emerging technologies, THE NATURE OF OUR CITIES will help protect the planet's cities from the effects of climate change and safeguard the health of their inhabitants.

Michael Easter's positive book review of The Nature of Our Cities
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Science for all

Technological and scientific discoveries worth translating.

A sanctuary for sun and a solution for rain

My ninth column for Landscape Trades highlights the Smart Water Garden Pond's blend of nature and tech to combat urban flooding.

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Urban deforestation and what we can do about it

Whilst many think that deforestation happens only in the Amazonian jungle or deep into the heart of Borneo, our cities are facing tree loss at a massive and unprecedented rate.

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Five key challenges urban foresters face

The summer of 2019 can be summarized in one word: heatwaves. Historical records were broken globally, with countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and the U.K. all experiencing their highest national temperature yet.

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