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Lifescapes is part-financed by English Nature as well as LEADER+, and has been looking at opportunities for environmental enhancement through mapping and community involvement since March 2003. The aim is to make use of local knowledge and involve rural communities in this process, consulting them on what they would like to see done locally to the benefit of biodiversity (wildlife) and landscape.
The mapping element of the project has two tiers: a macro-map and a micro-map. The macro-map is designed to summarise the areas it shows, to give a broad view of the opportunities for landscape, habitats and conservation. The micro-map covers smaller parcels of land, showing much more detail. These maps can be used to highlight the ideas, needs and requirements from communities as to things they would like to improve or add in to their environment.
Using the mapping process as a foundation, the community enters a phase of consultation with the project officer. This has already been available to members of the Stapleton Group Parishes, and is currently underway in Kingsland Parish with a second group.
Training is provided to community groups in conservation and biodiversity. They are also encouraged to draw up plans of action for particular river areas/issues. The Lifescapes team then supports the community to become sustainable and to succeed. They do this through:
- Help with accessing funding
- Mediating with individual landowners
- Accessing resources from statutory agencies
- Training in specific conservation skills (in line with certain needs)
Throughout all of this process, Lifescapes simply offers communities a chance to have their say about their localities, to improve, rebuild or begin new habitats of their choice, and to take on growing responsibility for their area and the future of their particular projects. The Lifescapes officer gradually takes a step away from the running of the community-led projects, until they can function successfully on their own.
The Lifescapes project is still looking for community groups to work with in the Wye or Frome LEADER+ river sub-areas. If you, a group of like-minded friends or an existing local group, think you would be interested in getting involved in the project and making a difference to your local biodiversity, please contact the project officer, Jess Allen.
Jess Allen
Lifescapes Project Officer
Tel: (01432) 383026
Email: jallen2@herefordshire.gov.uk
