Aberdeenshire community to help shape new nature schemes

The Hutton’s researchers will work with the woodland’s trustees, community groups and other stakeholders, over a period of four years on ways to jointly manage the site, with a strong focus on what are called nature-based solutions, that benefit nature and people while tackling issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

“High level management of nature-based solution projects can lead to a lack of inclusivity in the management of local natural resources like community woodlands or parks,” says Leanne Townsend, senior social scientist, at the Hutton.

“Through this project, we’re looking to see how that can be changed. We’re looking at how to involve a wider range of local views, how people view and value the nature around them and then how that can feed into decision making and governance, so that both nature and local people benefit.”

Murray Park is a community owned woodland, having been gifted by poet Charles Murray to the people of Alford in 1936. All the other sites in the COEVOLVERS project are either publicly or privately owned, which means it offers a unique opportunity to involve people in the process. The park, an area of mature mixed woodland with paths and walks, is open to the public and welcomes all who want to enjoy nature.