Communities Engaging in Nature is a one-day conference hosted by the Botanics. We will be sharing stories and inspiration about community work across Scotland that allows people to benefit from nature. This conference is suitable for anyone working directly with communities and/or vulnerable populations connecting them with nature (including greenspaces and gardening).
A space for anyone who works with and as part of communities in nature. This one day conference will bring together a wide range of perspectives from across Scotland with opportunities for discussion, networking and discovery.
What's happening?
There will be presentations, workshops, lunchtime activities, collective reflective activities and time to feel inspired by each other. Themes include:
- Community ecosystems: celebrating community efforts large and small that connect people and nature
- For people and planet: combining community and nature benefits in landscape design and management
- Ways into wellbeing: exploring different approaches to wellbeing in community projects
- How to grow a community project: hear inspiring stories of how community projects have grown and developed their work in nature
- Community skills for nature: case studies of projects that deliver vital skills in community settings to protect nature
- What is a community garden? Examples of community growing that break the mould
- Celebrating the "co" in community: examples of collaboration, co-production, co-creation.
For full information please see booking link.
Speakers include:
- Akriti Mathur, Get Sow Green
- Ally Hurčíková, Grassroots Remedies Co-op
- Angela Farnish and Kirsten Bowers, Abundant Borders
- Annabel Davidson Knight, Scottish Land Commission
- Cadence Yu and Rafa Crombie, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
- Camilo Brokaw and Sarah Tirado-Bowers, CEMVO Scotland
- Cassandra Barron, Bookbinding with Cass
- Catriona Ferguson and Finn McElrue-Inch, Amphibian Reptile Conservation
- Claire McLean, St Boswells Primary School Garden/ St Boswells Community Woodland
- Dr Emma Bush, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Emma Martindale, Trellis
- Dr Jaima H Smith, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo
- Jo McFarlane, CLP (Charlestown, Limekilns and Pattiesmuir) Nature Action
- Juliette Camburn, Keep Scotland Beautiful
- Katrina Wilde and Paula Niño, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Laura Curtis-Moss, RSPB Scotland and John Muir Trust
- Lisa Houston, Edinburgh Agroecology Coop/Lauriston Agroecology Farm
- Martyna Michalak, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
- Rebecca Lewis, Buglife
- Rita Budavári, Transition Edinburgh South
- Rory Crawford, Nature Towns and Cities
- Sheena Raeburn, RaeburnFarquharBowen landscape architecture & urban design
- Sheilagh Guthrie, Care4Calais Scotland
- Tatheer Fatima, Networking Key Services