Hello from a very sunny (for the moment) Skinflats nature reserve. We have a bit of a treat today, it's the first Futurescapes guest blog! This has been written by Kate Fuller of the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative, a project which is delivering parts of the Inner Forth Futurescape, plus a lot more........ actually I think I'll leave it to Kate to do the explaining, enjoy!!
Hello I’m Kate Fuller, the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) Community Engagement and Projects Officer and I work around the IFLI partnership area. Our partnership is led by RSPB Scotland and includes Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Councils, Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, SEPA, Sustrans, TCV Scotland and Central Scotland Forest Trust. As you can see there is a lot of interest in what we can achieve together with communities in this area! The Initiative is a Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) ‘Landscape Partnership Scheme’ located on the upper reaches of the Forth Estuary.
Our 200km² patch starts in the North at Stirling Old Bridge, then runs through Alloa, past the bottom of Devilla Forest, looping around High Valleyfield, down to Limekilns, sailing over to Blackness Castle, past Kinneil and Bo’ness, flying up the M9 at Grangemouth then winding our way past Airth and Fallin until we get back to the edge of Stirling. If you want a bit more detail about the location we are working on this handy map is a good starting place.
Inner Forth Landscape Initiative Boundary
If you know this area and the RSPB you are probably familiar with the Inner Forth Futurescape. This is why David didn’t have to twist my arm very hard to write this blog! (ed:I call it gentle convincing!!) I think Futurescapes is a truly exciting way of approaching landscape scale conservation to benefit communities as well as species and habitats (ed: I honestly did not ask her to say that!). The RSPB is looking outwith its reserves and is keen to start conversations with communities about the changes and challenges that the future will bring. Through the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative, the RSPB hopes to help deliver some aspects of their wider Futurescapes work.
Did you know that HLF funded Landscape Partnership Schemes have been in existence for the past eight years and are located all over the UK? In fact, there is probably one near you... Our local neighbour is the Ochils Landscape Partnership. Whilst the landscapes that the schemes focus on can be quite different, they are linked by their common aim to improve outcomes for heritage, people and communities. The work of the IFLI is based around our vision:
Our vision is of an Inner Forth Landscape where the natural, cultural and historical wealth of the area is revealed, enhanced and made accessible to both residents and visitors. Where important historical and natural landscape features will be in a good condition and future change will be embraced by a landscape better able to cope with change.
But how will we make this happen? This year I am assisting partners and other groups around the landscape to develop projects to become part of the Initiative. By the end of our development year in October 2013 these projects will be packaged together to make up the £4million scheme, which we will re-submit to HLF. By getting this far in the process and having some funds earmarked by HLF is an indication of positive support. We are hopeful that the commitment and enthusiasm of our partners and local communities will pay off and subject to future confirmation by HLF we aim to deliver the work of the Initiative between May 2014 -2018.
Projects will range from providing opportunities for schools, groups and individual to discover and look after the Inner Forth, to creation of new wetland areas, improving management of brownfield sites for invertebrates and consolidation of built heritage features. We will create varied volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities for you to take part in, improve access routes between communities and the Forth, and facilitate research into the fascinating mining and trading heritage of the IFLI area.
Inner Forth mudflats and Longannet power station, fantastic wildlife habitats alongside industrial heritage, the landscape of IFLI. Credit: David Palmar.
We have a lot of work to do this year before October and we would like to hear what you think about our projects and the Inner Forth area. Do you have a fascinating fact about the local history or a favourite footpath in need of some TLC? What would help make sites around the Inner Forth a great community resource? We would love to hear from you, which is why we will be visiting events around the IFLI area this summer with our displays and holding small consultations where anyone can drop in and find out more about what is proposed in their area. More information will be available soon, so sign up to our newsletter or keep an eye on our website for more information.
If you fancy a chat we would love to hear from you!
That’s all for now
Kate (innerforth@rspb.org.uk or 01324 831 568)