The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) of Coventry University and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have teamed up to launch a project in Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding areas. They are inviting citizen scientists to share their ideas and memories on how they use their local lands. The project aims to gain insights into the public’s views on Welsh landscapes’ management, enabling informed decisions to ensure that all who need them get full access to enjoy them. The project team will be collaborating with landscape experts, including representatives from the Brecon Beacons National Park, to better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with managing these lands. The citizen scientists will receive training from Pori Natur a Threftadaeth (PONT) on conservation grazing schemes using different animals to restore grazing and promote biodiversity. The project will conclude by developing websites and an art installation to capture the participants’ views and ideas on landscape management.
Citizen-Sourced Solutions to Local Landscape Challenges in Wales
The Centre for Agroecology, Water, and Resilience (CAWR) of Coventry University and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have teamed up to launch a unique project in Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding areas. The project aims to engage locals to find out how they used their local lands in the past, how they use them now, and what changes they would like to see in the management of common lands.
Understanding the Public’s Perspective
The local community’s perspective on their lands is crucial, especially since these lands are vital in providing a mental and physical health service for locals and tourists alike. As the use of these lands changes, the public’s input can ensure that all who need them get full access to enjoy them. The project team will be inviting locals from diverse backgrounds, covering a range of ages, genders, orientations, abilities, and ethnic diversities, to join them as citizen scientists and participants in their project.
Gathering Memories and Solutions
The citizen scientists will be asked to share their memories of how the Brecon Beacons and other landscapes in the area looked years ago and how they used those lands. They will also have the opportunity to share how they would like to use them now, using a range of media, including a postcard app the project team will set up and train participants to use.
The app will enable people to record a photographic memory of their favorite spot in the Beacons on the front of the card. On the back, participants can describe what that spot looks like now and how they would change it. Moreover, participants can use the solution shorts videos to record themselves showing their favorite spot in the landscape, the challenges they have accessing it, and how they would change it. Training will also be given for this purpose.
Ensuring Access to Local Lands
The project’s findings will enable CAWR and NRW to gain insights into the public’s views on how they use and manage their local lands. This information can help them make informed decisions on how to manage these lands effectively, ensuring all who need them get full access to enjoy them.
As a result, the project provides a unique opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions, share their memories and contribute to shaping the management of their local lands.
Citizen Scientists and Landscape Experts Collaborate to Improve Welsh Landscapes
The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) of Coventry University, in collaboration with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), is conducting a project in Merthyr Tydfil and its surrounding areas. They are inviting citizen scientists to share their ideas and memories about how they use their local lands, which will be used to shape future landscape management strategies.
Collaborating with Landscape Experts
Before sharing their ideas, the citizen scientists will be meeting with a range of landscape experts, such as Brecon Beacons National park representatives, soil scientists, ecologists, and renewable energy experts, to better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with managing Welsh landscapes. They will discuss their concerns and potential solutions to improve the management of these lands.
Training by Conservation Grazing Experts
Some citizen scientists will also receive training from Pori Natur a Threftadaeth (PONT) on conservation grazing schemes using different animals, such as cows and ponies, to restore grazing and promote biodiversity. The training will cover topics such as livestock, people in the country, and restoration grazing.
Gathering Views to Develop Websites and Art Installations
Once all views and ideas have been gathered from the participants, the project team will develop websites and an art installation to capture the participants’ views and ideas on landscape management.
If you are interested in becoming a participant in this project, you can contact Donna.udall@coventry.ac.uk.
This project provides a unique opportunity for citizen scientists and landscape experts to collaborate and share their ideas and concerns to shape the management of Welsh landscapes.
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