It’s always good to hear about cooperation between scientists and local communities. Making life easier for both parties. It was interesting to hear Dr Sophie Wynne-Jones’ seminar about her work on the Pontbren project (consisting of ten neighbouring farms) in North Powys, mid Wales. The project was described partly to sustain both the farmer’s livestock and wildlife around the farmers land.
It was encouraging to here that Dr Wynne-Jones got together with the farmers to talk about the worries that they had and to keep them informed with the project, opposed to carrying out work without informing them. The work carried out included improvement of shelter for livestock in addition to reduction of stock for easier management and care. While on the environmental side trees were planted on the farmers land, rejuvenation of hedgerows and formation of wetland habitat.
Wetland within the Pontbren project image from http://www.pontbrenfarmers.co.uk/
This type of project is interesting and encouraging to hear about. As many environmental research projects are carried out in areas close to or on land owned or used by local people and has been for generations. This is common place worldwide. Getting local people involved has benefits as it lets them know what’s going on, researchers can hear their points of view and local knowledge, can get them interested in the natural world around and shows them respect.
I found this seminar useful as I’m interested to take part in research in the future be it environmental, conservation or other research involving the natural world. For more information on the Pontbren project check out pontbrenfarmers.co.uk.
References
Wynne-Jones, S. (2008). Our Envirometal Work. Available: http://www.pontbrenfarmers.co.uk/env_work.html. Last accessed 28/02/2014.
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