We would like to explore how we can create a forest culture. This means beginning a conversation with our members on how Glenan can help meet their needs with respect for the nature and character of the place.
Glenan Wood is not a reserve solely for Nature; and we wish to identify the ways for our local human population to be a positive influence on the woodland environment and it’s ecology while being an essential part of it.
dinnae ask, dinnae know
This community engagement exercise seeks to begin a creative and collaborative decision making process with our members on what additional community benefits they wish to see evolving alongside more public benefits of rainforest restoration.
We thought we will start with asking our community what their needs are & will be holding a series of events to do just that. You can book your place here.
We promise to keep the format simple, to genuinely ask of you what your needs are; and to make the sessions as interactive and engaging as we can. Oh, and there’s free pizza at lunchtime if you fancy.
The Day
Outcomes from the events will be captured visually and illustrated by www.scriberia.com helping to provoke further discussion.
This session will give you the opportunity to think about and discuss:
- What is our role within the forest and how can we make sure it is a positive one?
- How did we used to live in the forest and why did we stop?
- What other forest cultures exist across the world and what can we learn from them?
- What could a future forest culture look like?
What we’re here for matters
Our constitution was formed to benefit the community of people living in, or registered to vote in, or owning property in the postcode area of PA21 which surrounds Glenan Wood with the following purposes:
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
- The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended,
- The advancement of citizenship or community development.
But what does that mean for our community is 2025? Our forest is well versed with examples of cultural archives, things people did here to meet their needs here in the past, something we will be finding out more about via Archaeology Scotlands scheme over coming years.
We want to move forward in a way that meets actual needs right now, that celebrates the cultural archives as we help regenerate the forest; and doesn’t plant over it’s essential heritage.
One of the key questions is: can our local population to be a positive influence on the woodland environment and it’s ecology while being an essential part of it?
Additional Community Benifits:
Community benefits are distinct from public benefits, which have a national impact
and benefit the wider public, like clean air, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
Community benefits directly and primarily benefit the local community. Community
benefits can include environmental and cultural benefits, as well as economic and
social benefits, where these are specifically for the local community.Effective approaches to community benefits start with open and early engagement with the community to understand their needs and aspirations. This engagement helps identify opportunities and reduce potential conflicts over projects, benefiting all parties.
Community benefits are long-term commitments meant to support the sustainable development of a community.
[Delivering Community Benefits from Land Good Practice: Scottish Land Commission]
Who’s Us?
We would like as many different voices as possible to attend, to make sure we can best represent the needs and views of all ages and life stages in our community.
We are seeking to listen to the whole range of voices of our local community. We’d like representatives of local families, our membership, attendees from our local development trust, community councillors, local interest groups or voluntary service providers, village halls, representatives of specific local interests; and those who may represent minority voices or groups.
And farmers, we like farmers; they grow stuff.
Special Thanks to ABCAN for funding this event.
With special thanks to the Alliance for Scottish Rainforests guidance on community engagement. https://savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk/good-practice-projects/community-engagement
