Dialogue on good practice in the application of the ecosystem approach Phase 2, Deliverable Report 5 December 2014

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Dialogue on good practice in the application of the ecosystem approach

Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Webinar on local economic development and the natural environment, 15th July 2014 ....................... 1

Background ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Webinar ............................................................................................................................................ 2

Observations by the Network team from the dialogue in the webinar, as well as with individual participants before and after the event ............................................................................................. 3

Future research opportunities ........................................................................................................... 4

Launch of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-on Reports, 26th June 2014 ..................... 4

Background ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Event description .............................................................................................................................. 5

Observations from dialogue at the event .......................................................................................... 6

Next steps and possible research requirements ............................................................................... 6

Involving communities in the recognition of what nature does for people, 5th June 2014 ..................... 7

Background ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Event description, including observations on good practice ............................................................. 7

Overall conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 9

Annex A – event literature .................................................................................................................... 9

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Dialogue on good practice in the application of the ecosystem approach

Introduction The Research and Development Plan for Phase 2 of the Network included specification for a series of webinars that elaborate themes identified during Core Activity 1 (Good Practice Analysis). Core Activity 1 identified great diversity in what can be considered as ‘good practice’ in the application of the ecosystem approach. In particular, it identified that while innovation is an important aspect of good practice, it can take many different forms. It may, for example, relate to new ways of portraying information, as well as the formation of partnerships that are bringing together individuals, organisations and sectors that have not worked together before.1 Core Activity 2 comprised one webinar and several workshops that helped Network members and others to evaluate elements of good practice in the application of the ecosystem approach. This report summarises the events. It is important to note that the topics addressed in Core Activity 2 are only a selection of the many topics that define good practice in different settings across the UK. Furthermore, an activity that is innovative in one part of the UK may be considered as such in another. Annex A contains copies of flyers and schedules for the events. Webinar on local economic development and the natural environment, 15th July 2014 Background The links between the natural environment and local economic development have been recognised in some professional arenas for many years. For instance, urban regeneration projects are often based on the premise that access to nature helps to build communities and attract investment. Local initiatives such as the production of a Green Infrastructure Audit for the Victoria Business Improvement District in London, together with the long-standing work of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network, help to show this. The Valuing Ecosystem Services in the East of England Project initiated by the former Government Office for the East produced a substantial evidence base regarding the ways in which nature supports investment, business and livelihoods.2 The Natural Economy North West Project had a similar effect.3 During Phase 2 of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network, a web page was established with a variety of links to on-line resources on how nature-based projects can link to the local economic development agenda.4 Ongoing place-based projects that are advancing this topic include the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point, which was engaged during Phase 2 of the Network.

1 See for example, the Executive Summary of a report on ‘Third Sector Working with Business for an Ecosystems Approach’, commissioned by Welsh Government in 2014. Available at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/140821-business-ecosystems-final-summary-en.pdf 2 http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/resources/examples/valuing-ecosystems-eastengland 3 http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/resources/examples/natural-economy-northwest 4 http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/apply/local-economy

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Charity / local non-

profit initiative

Consultancy Local authority / National

Park

Public body

Academia / research Professional /

representative body

The 2011 HM Government Natural Environment White Paper specified the formation of Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) throughout England. It also identified the potential links with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). While LEP and LNP boundaries for England do not overlap precisely, several of these are working together closely to mutual benefit. They include work in Norfolk and Suffolk, Sheffield and in Buckinghamshire. The links between land use and the local economy are noted in reports relating to other parts of the UK. For example, in 2008 Scottish Enterprise commissioned a study of land-based business that highlights the multiple public goods provided by land and their relevance to local economies in Scotland.5 Webinar Following dialogue with various Network members over the topic of local nature and local economic development, the Network team chose to highlight the partnership between the LEP and LNP in Norfolk and Suffolk. This partnership was considered worthy of a profile within the Network because of the strength of the relationships between the two teams, as well as the presence of published strategies that demonstrate commitment to each other’s cause.6 In this region of England, the LEP is known as New Anglia and the LNP as Wild Anglia.

The webinar on 15th July 2014 involved 60 participants from throughout the UK. The figure to the left illustrates the types of organization they represented. It was Chaired by Tom Butterworth, who was (at the time) an advisor on local government and green infrastructure for Natural England. Before the LNP and LEP provided their perspectives on their partnership work, an outline of the Local Environment and Economic Development toolkit developed by Natural England and piloted by Wild Anglia was presented by Tom Butterworth. The webinar served as a means to identify opportunities for outreach into the local economic development community of interest. This includes land redevelopment businesses, urban regeneration programmes and the growing field of ‘smart’ cities.

5 http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/microsites/co-operative-development-scotland/resources/publications/pqr/primary-land-based-business-study 6 See, for example, the second part of Wild Anglia’s manifesto: http://www.wildanglia.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wild_Anglia_manifesto_PT2.pdf

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Observations by the Network team from the dialogue in the webinar, as well as with individual participants before and after the event

1. Economic development remains a controversial topic because of the varying interpretations of what ‘growth’ is, how it should be achieved and how it should be measured. There is a view, especially among the nature conservation community, that monetary valuation of what nature does for people can be given disproportionate consideration in local decisions, and may lead to outcomes that may be undesirable in many people’s view. Nonetheless, some level of engagement by nature conservationists with initiatives that are advancing an economic development agenda can still be considered an element of good practice in the application of the ecosystem approach. This is because:

• Public policy throughout the UK recognises the importance of traditional economic growth (even if the sustainability of the growth is open to challenge).

• Principle 4 of the ecosystem approach refers to a need for the natural environment to be managed in an economic context.7

• The notions of natural capital, natural assets and nature’s services provide a strong basis for engaging the private sector.

2. Much of the issue of reconciling local nature and local ‘growth’ revolves around making sound arguments for investment in nature to those with no training or interest in the natural environment. In particular, this includes decision makers within Local Enterprise Partnerships in England and counterpart initiatives in other parts of the UK. The people championing these initiatives often have a private sector background. As a result they are predisposed to make decisions in particular ways based on their assessment of risk and reward and opportunity costs. Local authorities can be places where local economic development teams can be influenced by those who understand the role of the natural environment in growth and well being. This is because local officers relate to one another as colleagues.

3. While tools such as LEED (as presented in the webinar) can help to make the case for nature within (and underpinning) local economic development, the case of Wild Anglia and New Anglia illustrates that people with the skills and vision necessary to deliver change are crucial if this agenda is to be progressed. There is a need for two-way interactions between initiatives focused on enhancing the natural environment and growth. It is important that nature-based projects are not perceived as an adjunct or external pressure to be exerted upon the work of economic development initiatives. Having the right people to champion the role of the natural environment and to focus on the positive aspects of what nature does for people is important.

4. In the reports of HM Government’s Ecosystems Markets Task Force8, entrepreneurship and

protection of the natural environment are portrayed as complementary activities. Some of the recommendations of the Task Force, such as the advancement of payments for ecosystem services, are most likely to be applied to address local concerns. It is important, however, that ‘ecosystem markets’ are not perceived as a specialist topic for exploitation by a relatively small

7 See http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/principles.shtml 8 https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/ecosystem-markets-task-force

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number of ‘environmental’ businesses. There is a need for initiatives that show that the natural environment is important dimension of all parts of a local economy. Furthermore, the ways in which the natural environment might harm the prospects for local economies or individual businesses (such as through flooding), needs to be differentiated from a more positive view in which nature adds value to business propositions and growth aspirations. Initiatives such as Valuing Surrey (a project of the Surrey Nature Partnership) can help in this respect.9

Future research opportunities A variety of non-statutory documents are being produced by local authorities, charities and others to make the case for nature as something that underpins the economy. For instance, in 2014 Natural Devon, a Local Nature Partnership in South West England used results from the LEED toolkit for in the appraisal of plans put forward by LEPs.10 In 2011, Kent County Council published an appraisal of what nature does for its economy.11 Documents of this type complement the national studies commissioned by Defra and other government bodies in the UK to communicate the value ecosystem services and green infrastructure. They have the potential to initiate dialogue between decision-makers (such as meetings of local authority committees responsible for economic development). Nonetheless, the impact of these locally-oriented documents, and the roles of people who act as advocates for the arguments made within them, is currently hard to determine. There is an opportunity for targeted research to appraise outcomes from these documents in a systematic way and to share the learning nationally. Some local authorities in the UK are forming Supplementary Planning Guidance on green infrastructure. Fife Council, for example. published its Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Guidance in 2014. It is, however, unknown what effect these specifications are having on decisions about development proposals. Research to investigate this would help to illustrate the impact of local policies in applying the ecosystem approach. Any such piece of work would need to take into account that some decisions taken in response to a policy may not be documented. Launch of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-on Reports, 26th June 2014 Background At the invitation of the Living with Environmental Change Programme, the Ecosystems Knowledge Network team designed the afternoon session of the launch of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) Follow-on Reports. The Follow-on Project was comprised of nine ‘Work Packages’ that were selected to advance topics identified in the Main Report published in 2011. The purpose of the session on 26th June was to show what the ecosystem approach looks like in practice in different settings around the UK, as well as to explore how different sectors (professions 9 http://surreynaturepartnership.org.uk/projects/ 10 http://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Local-Environment-and-Economic-Development-toolkit-report-%E2%80%93-Heart-of-the-South-West-LEP-area-2014.pdf 11 http://www.kentbap.org.uk/images/uploads/Securing_the_Value_of_Nature_in_Kent.pdf

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Charity / local non-

profit initiative

Private sector,

including consultancy

Local authority /

National Park

Public body or

government

Academia / research

Professional / representative

body

and types of organisation) might respond to the knowledge contained in the UK NEA outputs. Part III of the Synthesis Report from the follow-on project contains information on sectoral responses.12 Even though the UK NEA Follow-on Project did form a Stakeholder Panel, the project did not have the capacity for detailed engagement and deliberation with multiple organisations in each sector across all Work Packages. This in-depth engagement is an ongoing requirement for the Ecosystems Knowledge Network. Event description The majority of the 90 participants of the UNKEA launch also joined in the afternoon session. As shown in the figure to the right, the participants in the session were drawn from a wide range of sectors, but with greater representation of academia and public bodies than is normal for Network events. The following place-based projects involved in the Ecosystems Knowledge Network were featured in both short presentations and parallel workshop sessions:

1. The Celtic Seas Partnership (formerly the EU LIFE+ PISCES project). Represented by Lyndsey Dodds of WWF-UK.

2. Birmingham City Council’s Green Living Spaces Plan. Represented by Nick Grayson of Birmingham City Council.

3. The Scottish Borders Land Use Pilot. Presented by Andy Tharme of Scottish Borders Council and Chris Spray of the Tweed Forum

4. The Bassenthwaite Ecosystem Services Pilot Project. Presented by Jane Lusardi of Natural England.

5. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area, represented by Lisa Schneidau, Devon Wildlife Trust.

6. Catchment management activities of South West Water. Presented by Dylan Bright, South West Water

These were all considered as good examples of the application of the ecosystem approach, either because of the number of principles that are reflected in their work, or the depth of their work on one aspect. A panel discussion of sectoral responses illustrated that different types of organisations have similar aspirations when it comes to managing land for public benefit. The panel was comprised of: 12 The seven categories of “user” that are addressed are: the general public, environmental NGOs, government agencies, government, local authority, business, research, research funders and research users.

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1. Charlotte Lay of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) 2. Ian Glover (UK Business Council for Sustainable Development) 3. Steve Spode (Welsh Government) 4. Steve Albon (James Hutton Institute and Co-Chair of the UK National Ecosystem

Assessment Follow-on Project).

Members of the panel were selected because they have a broad understanding of their sector, because of any one organisation they work for. Further details of the event are available at http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/about/events/nea2014 Observations from dialogue at the event The project presentations identified the importance of having strong leadership and effective partnerships in order to ensure long-term benefits from their work. The Celtic Seas Partnership is effective because of the diversity of sectors it brings together, but also in the way it draws together organisations from different parts of the UK. In many cases, long-standing collaboration between different sectors has been the key to practical outcomes. For instance, the ways in which South West Water has worked with farmers to improve water quality has been aided by the work of the West Country Rivers Trust over several decades. The Trust is a non-profit organisation that serves as an ‘honest broker’ (intermediary) between farmers and others. Direct engagement of the public (alongside engagement with organizations that may represent or serve the public) is an emerging theme in many of the projects that best illustrate the ecosystem approach in the UK. The North Devon Nature Improvement Area is an example of how members of the public can be engaged in innovative ways, such as through the activities of organisations that promote the arts. Next steps and possible research requirements The workshop session at the launch of the UK NEA Follow-on Reports highlighted the ongoing need for engagement with a wide range of different types of organisation that could apply the ecosystem approach. It is clear from the dialogue that this is best done by working wherever possible with the motivations and interests of each organisation, rather than presenting an external ‘ecosystems agenda’ to them. However, given the diversity of ways in which sectors may apply the ecosystem approach, and the complexity of how organisations depend on each other, there is a need to find ways of measuring progress. As a starting point, it would be advantageous if a range of different business and professional sectors identified in the UK NEA reports could produce a simple strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of how they may respond to the evidence and thinking contained within them. For example:

• Strengths could include influence over supply chains and the sensitivity of customers to the protection of nature in the UK.

• Weaknesses could include an inability to control prices or public policy.

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Dialogue on good practice Activity report

• Threats could include competition from others who are less minded towards innovation, as well as an increasing disconnect between people and nature

• Opportunities could include the chance to show leadership and innovation within the UK or internationally

SWOT analysis would help those working within the sector, as well as those outside it who need to understand its role in applying the ecosystem approach. The workshop on 26th June 2014 also highlighted the ongoing importance of practical case studies that illustrate how the ecosystem approach (and responses to the UK NEA evidence base) is applied in practice. Alongside the core elements of any one place-based project (such as the organisations involved with what resources), there is also a need to communicate the personal stories behind successes. This may include the presence of leadership and networking skills within a team, good timing (with regard to funding or policy processes), and access to evidence. Involving communities in the recognition of what nature does for people, 5th June 2014 Background Valuing nature’s services and involving local communities are two important aspects of the ecosystems approach. While short term evaluations such as the Sciencewise work have been undertaken, relatively few long-term projects are addressing these two aspects simultaneously. In response to this, the Network team accepted a proposal from Ecosystems Knowledge Network member Colin Tingle to run a field visit and workshop that focused on the innovative work of the Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group. This took place in Lewes (Sussex, England) on 5th June, 2014 and involved 30 participants. The Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group (L&OVe) together with its ‘Chalking up the Benefits’ South Downs Nature Improvement Area project, is developing processes to engage local people in a greater recognition of the value of nature. The work of L&OVe is designed to support to decisions that improve people’s wellbeing and achieve greater resilience in the local economy. It has developed ways of communicating with local community and engaging them. This includes ‘Nature Gain’ walks and workshops. Nature Gain is a term coined locally to communicate what nature does for people (ecosystem services). Event description, including observations on good practice In response to a proposal from Network members, the Network team chose to provide an opportunity for people to learn about and evaluate the work of the LO&Ve project, as well as related initiatives. As shown in the figure to overleaf, the 33 participants in the event represented a wide range of organisations. During the event, participants had the chance to see a Nature Gain walk for themselves, as well as learn about the ‘Nature Gain Going Local’ workshop process. This was

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Dialogue on good practice Activity report

supplemented by an explanation of how the Holnicote Flood Demonstration Project has gone about engaging tenant farmers in its work. The Talking About Our Place Guide commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage was also presented to participants.13 It remains a useful source of guidance on how to engage local communities in appraisals of their surroundings.

The discussions during the event led to a number of observations by participants about good practice in involving local communities in valuing nature. These include:

• Different tools and activities are appropriate for different communities and areas. For example, getting communities to connect ecosystem services with specific locations may not work so well in large geographical areas that do not instill a sense of belonging or identity in local communities (such as counties or other administrative boundaries). If a large area needs to be considered, it may be necessary to use several maps showing specific towns and rural areas that the public can identify with.

• When involving communities it is important that everyone feels valued and that they are an expert in their own situation. Input from external technical experts, or from people that may be perceived has holding positions of power or influence, needs to be introduced and managed carefully. All involved should understand that engagement is a two-way process.

• In order for local communities to understand and value what local nature does for them, they may need time to appreciate the place in ways they haven’t before. It may be best to start with a general appreciation of nature. People often identify cultural ecosystem services first and things that are personal to them, rather than other services that they can’t see.

13 http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/looking-after-landscapes/communities/talking-about-our-place/

Charity / local non-

profit initiative

Consultancy Local authority / National

Park

Public body

Academia / research

Professional / representative

body

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Dialogue on good practice Activity report

• Some ecosystem services are recognised more readily than others. More prompting is needed before people recognise ecosystem services that may be classed as regulating (such as flood control) and supporting services (such as pollination). Supporting services will very rarely be mentioned by people and therefore need to be explained.

A report on the event is available on the Network website (copy also provided in Annex A). Overall conclusions All three of the events described in this report illustrate the fact that knowledge and know-how about the ecosystem approach is being advanced by many different sectors in diverse settings across the UK. The nature of the ecosystem approach is such that ‘good practice’ in its application is not something that can be characterised and then ‘rolled out’. In contrast, good practice is something that emerges as the actions individuals and organisations in the private, public, charity and academic sectors are deliberated and translated. Partnerships such as that between Wild Anglia and New Anglia are showing how individuals outside the ‘environment’ sector professions can advance the application of the ecosystem approach. Successful partnerships emerge where diverse organisations all share a common interest in the protection and enhancement of a particular place or resource, whether this be a large marine area (such as the Celtic Sea Partnership) or a relatively small land area (such as in the Bassenthwaite Ecosystem Services Pilot14). The challenge for partnerships running place-based project is finding the opportunity to work towards a common purpose. This common purpose is not necessarily restoration of nature; it could be focused on broader societal goals associated with improved well being, such as growth, resilience, sense of community, and reduced inequality. The professions that directly affect the decisions made by land owners and managers are clearly a priority for engagement in applying the approach. Many place-based projects have engaged this important group in specific situations (such as in pilot projects). Despite the strong evidence base in large-scale studies such as the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, there remains uncertainty as to what individual land owners and managers can (and should) do differently in order to apply the ideas underlying the ecosystem approach to the fullest extent possible. An important element of good practice will, therefore, be the establishment of forums for long-term dialogue with the land-based professions working in any one geographical area. Annex A – event literature Flyers, programmes and other materials from the events.

14 http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/resources/examples/bassenthwaite

ecosystemsknowledge.net

Local nature and local growth

Learning from the experiences of the New Anglia and Wild Anglia partnership Ecosystems Knowledge Network webinar Tuesday 15th July 2014, 1 – 2 pm. Two important types of local partnership have emerged

throughout England in recent years: Local Nature Partnerships

and Local Enterprise Partnerships. This has occurred at a time

of growing evidence for how the natural environment underpins

economic growth and contributes to people’s well being.

Throughout the UK there is now a need to harness the power of

partnerships focused on nature and economic growth in their

common aim for sustainable development.

Wild Anglia – the Local Nature Partnership for Suffolk and Norfolk – and New Anglia - the counterpart

Local Enterprise Partnership – have taken the initiative to work together for mutual benefit. New

Anglia was chosen as a HM Government Green Economy Pathfinder. Both the LNP and LEP were

chosen to test LEED, the Local Environment and Economic Development Toolkit, developed by

Natural England. The webinar will show how this co-working came about and the benefits it is

bringing. It will show how aids such as the Local Environment and Economic Development Toolkit

can help.

The event is for:

In England: Local Nature Partnerships • Local Enterprise Partnerships

Throughout the UK: those promoting local economic development, nature conservation and

ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure. This

includes spatial planners and the built environment

professions.

Chair person: Tom Butterworth, Natural England Presenters: Richard Powell, Chair, Wild Anglia. Iain Dunnett, Stakeholder Manager, New Anglia.

The webinar will include time for questions and answers. See http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/local-economy To apply for a place, email info@ecosystemsknowledge.net with a few sentences about your work. Places will be made available on a first come first served basis. Participants need to be members of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (free to join via the weblink below).

The Ecosystems Knowledge Network is a free resource for anyone wanting to share knowledge or learn about the practical benefits of an ecosystems approach, a framework for managing the natural environment in a holistic and integrated way. It is funded by Defra and Scottish Government.

http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/

Action Stations! Making the Most of the ecosystem approach

Incorporating a launch of the UK National Ecosystem Follow-on project, a major new piece

of interdisciplinary research that is advancing our knowledge and capacity to implement

the ecosystem approach.

26th June 2014, Mary Ward House, Bloomsbury, London: http://www.marywardhouse.com/

Objectives:

To stimulate UK-wide debate about what the ideas in the UKNEA FO outputs mean for

particular people, places and institutions.

To provide an opportunity for practitioners in the Government, business and voluntary sector

to learn about tools and methods for valuing ecosystems to improve decision-making.

To enable focussed discussion of different experiences of successes, challenges and

opportunities in applying the ideas and tools of the UKNEA and its Follow-On project to

decision-making about the use of land, freshwater and marine resources.

To use learning and insights from these experiences to clarify what further support might be

needed to help overcome barriers to the ecosystem approach.

To identify communication priorities for sharing the outputs from NEA FO and the latest ideas

in ecosystem management.

10.00 Registration (coffee and tea)

10.30 Welcome

From the chairs of the UKNEAFO and LWEC Ecosystem Task Force

10.35

Ministerial address

Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for natural

environment and science

Morning session –

Welcome and launch of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-on

10.45

The Synthesis Report – summary of findings

Presentation from the UKNEAFO Co-Chairs summarising why a Follow-

on phase was needed, what has been done and what was found in the

UKNEAFO including a tools overview

11.00

Key innovations in the UK NEA Follow-on project

Presentations by three of the Principal Investigators on economics,

cultural ecosystem services and scenarios

http://uknea.unep-wcmc.org/

11.30 The challenge of implementing an ecosystems approach

Professor Ian Boyd, Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser

11.45

Panel discussion on UK NEAFO findings and how outputs can be

used

The Panel will consist of the Co-Chairs, Principal Investigators and

representatives from Defra and the funders.

12.25 Lunch

There will be opportunities for networking and a number of stalls set up

over lunch where delegates can find out more about the NEAFO, LWEC

and the Ecosystems Knowledge Network.

Afternoon workshop session – implementing an ecosystems approach: a

Living With Environmental Change event, in association with the Ecosystems

Knowledge Network

13.15 Welcome and introduction.

Facilitator: Ruth Waters, Natural England

13.35

Around the UK in twenty minutes: snapshots of an ecosystems

approach in action

Six projects that show how an ecosystems approach is being applied in

diverse settings around the UK. Presentations will include the following:

A business perspective on the ecosystem approach

Dylan Bright, South West Water

Developing the ecosystem approach in the Celtic Seas

Lyndsey Dodds, WWF-UK

Bassenthwaite Ecosystem Services Pilot Project: the ecosystem

approach on the ground

Jane Lusardi, Natural England

National Ecosystem Assessment in practice in the Northern Devon

Nature Improvement Area

Lisa Schneidau, Devon Wildlife Trust

Scottish Borders pilot regional land use framework

Andy Tharme, Scottish Borders Council

13.55

Digging deeper: learning from some pioneers

Participants select parallel sessions and move into breakout rooms to

explore case studies in more depth.

15.20 On your bike! Responding to what we know

Reflections from keynote speakers and panel discussion.

16.15 Tea and coffee

Networking and knowledge exchange.

ecosystemsknowledge.net

Provisional programme 10:00 Registration

10:30 Introduction to the L@OVe Group and the tools it is developing

11:00 Talking About Our Place: How to involve local communities

11:30 Field trip to demonstrate one way ecosystem services can be communicated to people

13:00 Return to Pavilion and Lunch

13:45

Sussex Wildlife Trust and South Downs National Park Authority: A Sussex/South Downs case study of stakeholder engagement and mapping nature’s services

14:15

Workshop to discuss tools, how they can be refined and applied elsewhere and their uses from Local Nature Partnerships to the landscape scale

14:45 Refreshments 15:00 Workshop session continues 15:30 Plenary feedback session

16:00 Close. Refreshments and opportunity for networking

Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people

Field visit and workshop

Linklater Pavilion Lewes East Sussex BN7 2FG 5th June 2014 10 am to 4 pm Valuing nature’s services and involving local communities are two important components of an ecosystems approach. The challenge of putting these two components together is only just beginning to be recognised. The Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics (L&OVe) Group in East Sussex, together with its Chalking up the Benefits Nature Improvement Area project, is developing processes to engage local people in recognition of the value of nature, to improve their wellbeing and the resilience of the local economy. L&OVe is hosting this free event to demonstrate the tools they are developing to involve local communities in recognising the value of ecosystem services. See http://www.lewes-eco-nomics.org/. Participants will also be able to share their own experiences on this topic, and hear from other projects that are engaging communities. This event is for all organisations that work with communities, including those in local authorities, Wildlife Trusts and Local Nature Partnerships. An important starting point in engaging people is the mapping of nature’s services. Sussex Wildlife Trust and the South Downs National Park Authority will present the work they are undertaking on EcoServ GIS, a new mapping tool that is being trialled by three Wildlife Trusts. See http://www.durhamwt.co.uk/ what-we-do/current-projects/ecoserv-project/

To apply for a place, email info@ecosystemsknowledge.net explaining how you feel you can contribute to and benefit from the event. Participants need to be members of the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (free to join via the weblink below).

The Ecosystems Knowledge Network is a free resource for anyone wanting to share knowledge or learn about the practical benefits of an ecosystems approach, a framework for managing the natural environment in a holistic and integrated way. It is funded by Defra and Scottish Government.

Mapping perceptions of local ecosystem services and beneficiaries © Chris Richards, Crowborough

Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people

Linklater Pavilion • Lewes • East Sussex • BN7 2FG

Thursday 5th June, 2014 • 10.30 am to 4 pm (refreshments and registration from 10:00 am)

Briefing note for participants

Background Valuing nature’s services and involving local communities are two important aspects of an ecosystems approach. The challenge of putting these aspects together is only just beginning to be recognised. The Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group (L&OVe) together with its Chalking up the Benefits South Downs Nature Improvement Area project, is developing processes to engage local people in a greater recognition of the value of nature. The work of L&OVe is designed to support to decisions that improve people’s wellbeing and achieve greater resilience in the local economy, see www.lewes.eco-nomics.org). L&OVe is hosting this event in association with the Ecosystems Knowledge Network; a UK-wide resource for anyone wanting to share knowledge or learn about the benefits of taking an ecosystems approach in the management of land and water environments.

Purpose of the event The event will enable participants to share learning about tools and experiences in helping people to express values for nature, with a particular focus on L&OVe. The event will give an opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the range of tools that are available or being developed in order to engage communities in the valuation of nature’s benefits. This will equip participants with the initial knowledge needed to implement community engagement exercises in order to meet their own organisation’s objectives. .

Please note that there will be a guided walk of one hour’s duration during the day. This is on mainly flat land with a few steps, but it may be very muddy in places. Please ensure that you wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. The afternoon will include participation in two short workshop sessions allowing opportunities to experience community engagement tools in practice. There will be a choice of three workshops (details on page 3). You will need to select your preferences for the two sessions. Please email your preferences by noon on Friday 30th May to Anita Sedgewick at info@ecosystemsknowledge.net

After the event The Ecosystems Knowledge Network team will produce a short report on the event and put links to resources referred to during the day on the Network website, (adding to the existing page http://ecosystemsknowledge.net/resources/tools-guidelines/valuing). Members of the Network are welcome to propose future activities that will help share knowledge and experience about involving communities in the valuation of what nature does for people.

Dietary preferences/special needs: If you have any dietary preferences or special needs, please inform Anita Sedgewick at info@ecosystemsknowledge.net by noon on Friday 30th May.

ecosystemsknowledge.net

Involving local communities in recognition of what nature does for people Lewes, 5th June, 2014

Programme

10:00 Registration 10:30 Welcome to Lewes and to Sussex (Tony Whitbread, Sussex Wildlife Trust) 10:40 Chalking up the Benefits: Introduction to Lewes and Ouse Valley eco -nomics group

(L&OVe) and the tools being developed (Colin Tingle, L&OVe) 11:00 Talking About Our Place: How to involve local communities with ecosystem services

(Laura Jagota, Countryscape) 11:10 Recognition of values among beneficiaries and providers of ecosystem services (Sacha

Rogers, Penny Anderson Associates) 11:20 Questions for speakers 11:30 Naturegain walk around Lewes Railway Land Trust Nature Reserve to demonstrate one

way ecosystem services can be communicated to people (L&OVe) 12:30 Questions about the walk and its use as an engagement tool 12:40 Lunch 13:45 Short introduction to issues around the valuation of ecosystem services: a new

economics perspective (Chris Williams, New Economics Foundation) 13:55 How the Lewes Railway Land Project has taken on ecosystem service messages (John

Parry, Lewes RLWT) 14:00 Questions for speakers 14:10 Workshops to experience and discuss tools, how they can be used, refined and applied

elsewhere: two thirty-minute sessions 15:10 Plenary feedback session and discussion 15:45 Networking and refreshments 16:00 Close (informal networking) Workshops

Three workshops will run during the afternoon (see overleaf). You will be able to take part in two of them. Please provide your preferences by noon on Friday 30th May. Please do this by reply to Anita Sedgewick at info@ecosystemsknowledge.net . Simply state the workshop choice in the subject line or body text of the email, e.g. “1&3” or “2&3” etc. The organisers will do their best to accommodate your preferences.

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Involving local communities in recognition of what nature does for people Lewes, 5th June, 2014

Workshop 1

Experiential mapping – a doorway into community engagement with the value of local ecosystem services L&OVe Chalking up the Benefits project

Lewes & Ouse Valley eco-nomics is a community group (part of Transition Town Lewes) that is developing processes to engage local people in recognising the value of the local environment immediately surrounding Lewes town. As part of its Chalking up the Benefits South Downs Nature Improvement Area partnership project L&OVe has developed and trialled a Naturegain Going Local workshop process (more at http://www.lewes-eco-nomics.org/about-love/ ). This uses a giant map of a town (in this case, Lewes) and its surroundings on which participants identify the benefits the community and local economy receive from individual habitats. Participants also identify what benefits specific stakeholders in the town use and/or depend on (see http://www.lewes-eco-nomics.org/photos/). This community engagement tool is focussed on participant (community member) visualization of the value of ecosystem services from the local environment. It can be an entry point into taking an ecosystems approach, suitable for community groups, professional bodies, businesses, local authority officers and/or elected representatives. Workshop 2

Capturing value for the farming community Holnicote Flood Demonstration Project

Through the Holnicote Flood Demonstration Project in West Somerset, the National Trust is engaging with the farming community to recognise the value of working with natural processes to reduce downstream flood risk. The Trust has used a range of tools and approaches to secure the buy-in of farming tenants and commoners to allow natural flood management measures to be implemented including arable reversion, tree planting and creation of floodplain water meadows. This workshop explores the tools and key messages used to successfully engage tenant farmers. We will highlight some of the financial considerations including actual monetary values of incentives used. We will also share our experiences of where engagement has not been so successful and some of the reasons underlying this. http://ccmhub.net/case-studies/holnicote-case-studies/holnicote/ Workshop 3

Involving local communities in landscape planning and management Talking About Our Place

The Talking About Our Place toolkit was developed by Scottish Natural Heritage to encourage communities to get involved in the future of their landscape. The purpose of the toolkit is to help communities: explore what makes their place special, recognise the benefits they derive from their local landscape; identify the issues which affect their place or may influence it in the future; and use this understanding to shape the decisions made about how their place should be managed. Resources include templates for project planning, ‘fact sheets’ explaining different aspects of a landscape and a handbook of different methods for involving all members of a community. The Workshop will explore the toolkit and discuss how it can be adapted for different contexts and communities. It will also consider lessons for supporting community engagement in ecosystem planning and management. http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/looking-after-landscapes/communities/talking-about-our-place/

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Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people Field visit to Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group, 5

th June

2014 In June 2014, the Ecosystems Knowledge Network organised a field trip in partnership with the Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group (L&OVe). The aim was to explore ways of engaging local communities around the UK in recognising the value of ecosystem services. Introduction Valuing nature’s services and involving people are two important parts of an ecosystems approach. The challenge of putting these together at the local level (in towns, cities and rural communities) is only just beginning to be recognised. L&OVe, together with its Chalking up the Benefits project (part of the South Downs Nature Improvement Area), is developing tools to engage local people in a greater recognition of the value of nature. The goal is the improvement of people’s wellbeing and building resilience in the local economy. The event was held in Lewes, East Sussex. It gave participants the chance to gain a deeper understanding of tools developed by LO&Ve and others. In the morning, three presentations covered examples of community engagement approaches and experiences. Participants also took part in a Naturegain walk, developed by L&OVe. In the afternoon there was a brief presentation covering the opportunities and challenges around the valuation of ecosystem services from a New Economics perspective. Each project (see below) then ran an interactive workshop where participants had the chance to test out the tools and consider how they might be used in their own field of work. The day ended in a plenary discussion.

1. L&OVe valuing ecosystem services across Lewes: The Lewes & Ouse Valley eco-nomics group (part of Transition Town Lewes) has been developing a range of tools to engage the local community in recognising the value of ecosystem services. Dr. John Parry (an associate of L&OVe) coined “naturegain” as a new word to help people understand ‘what nature does for

Participants on the Naturegain walk

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Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people Field Visit to Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group, 5th June 2014

us and how we can help’. The ‘Naturegain Going Local’ workshop process is one such tool and Naturegain walks another. Both are experiential and participatory. By focussing on the very local surroundings (a 5 kilometre square) around the town, members of the Lewes community are able to recognise and feel part of the group’s focal area and to see the interdependence of the town’s community, economy and local environment. For more information, see http://www.lewes-eco-nomics.org/about-love/.

2. The Holnicote Flood Demonstration Project. This project worked with the National Trust to engage the farming community to recognise the value of working with natural processes to reduce downstream flood risk. This workshop explored the tools and key messages used to engage tenant farmers, such as ‘kitchen table’ discussions and the use of trusted intermediaries. Experiences of where engagement has not been so successful and some of the reasons underlying this. There was also a discussion of some of the financial considerations including actual monetary values of incentives used. For more information, see http://ccmhub.net/case-studies/holnicote-case-studies/holnicote/.

3. The Talking About Our Place

toolkit. This was developed by Countryscape and Scottish Natural Heritage. It encourages communities to get involved in the future of their landscape by helping them to explore what makes their place special, recognise the benefits they receive from the landscape, identify issues which may affect it and use this understanding to share decisions about how their place should be managed. It contains topic sheets which cover a range of subjects from dealing with conflict to conducting field surveys, information about the benefits derived from a variety of habitats and project tempale forms. For more information, see http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/looking-after-landscapes/communities/talking-about-our-place/.

The Naturegain walk around the Lewes Railway Land Project site covered a variety of habitats including woodland, reedbeds and wetland meadows. It lasted for around an hour. At a number of key ‘stopping points’ during this activity, people were encouraged to recognise and understand the benefits that they receive from the natural environment they are passing through. Walks were led by Colin Tingle (L&OVe) and Dan Fagan (Lewes District Council Ranger). The presentation by Chris Williams from the New Economics Foundation cautioned that if monetary valuation is used, the benefits must be stressed as a means to an end, and that it is important to emphasise that social and environmental benefits are linked. Quantitative or qualitative valuation can help make the case for investment in healthy functioning ecosystems providing multiple benefits from a single site.

Identifying the ecosystem services provided by local habitats

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Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people Field Visit to Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group, 5th June 2014

Learning points The following arose from discussions during the day.

Use tools for participative, experiential learning as much as possible; this helps people engage and feel part of the issues and processes they are learning about.

Start with a general appreciation of nature. People often identify cultural ecosystem services first and things that are personal to them, rather than other services that they can’t see. Dog-walking and spiritual or aesthetic values are often mentioned first. People then progress onto health and economic benefits. If engagement starts with a general appreciation of nature, it can prompt people to think more deeply about the natural environment and the benefits they get from it.

Don’t expect people to express values straight away. In order for local communities to understand and value what local nature does for them, they may need time to appreciate the place in ways they haven’t before. On any walk or outing, it can be effective to ask people to stop for three-five minutes, to close their eyes and concentrate on what they can detect with their other senses. This gives them a personal connection that forms a good starting point for exploring and valuing the wider set of things that nature does for them (ecosystem services).

Some services are recognised more than others. More prompting is needed before people recognise ecosystem services that may be classed as regulating (such as flood control) and supporting services (such as pollination). Supporting services will very rarely be mentioned by people and therefore need to be explained.

Be cautious of economic frames for ecosystem services - quantitative or qualitative valuation can help make the case for investment in healthy functioning ecosystems providing multiple benefits from a single site.

Talk in terms of appropriate, knowledge-based management for enhancing both natural capital and biodiversity.

Maps are tools that help to engage people. It can be helpful to let people draw on maps as this give them something to relate to. The visual and tactile elements of engagement tools, and the fact that participants are generating knowledge by creating maps, helps to give them a sense of ownership. It is also a suitable way to involve everyone. However it is important not to raise people’s expectations to an unrealistic level about what they can achieve.

A map of the ecosystem service benefits and beneficiaries around Lewes

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Involving local communities in the recognition of what nature does for people Field Visit to Lewes and Ouse Valley eco-nomics group, 5th June 2014

Different tools and activities are appropriate for different communities and areas. For example, getting communities to connect ecosystem services with specific locations may not work so well in much larger areas. When using maps, it may be necessary to use several maps showing specific towns and rural areas if a very large area is being considered.

Choose words and pictures carefully. It is important to use language that is familiar and relevant to local people. Picture cards of services can help to speed up the enagement process. Various scenarios can be prepared in advance to enable participants to think about adaptation to change in the landscape (whether this be due to climate or new uses for land).

Expert facilitation is important. When involving communities it is important that everyone feels valued and that they are an expert in their own situation. Input from external technical experts, or from people that may be perceived has holding positions of power or influence, need to be introduced and managed carefully. All involved should understand that engagement is a two-way process.

The Ecosystems Knowledge Network is grateful to Network Member Colin Tingle for his partnership in hosting and organising the event, along with all the other contributors.