This natural heritage project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aimed to provide increased access to and knowledge of the North East of England’s countryside for people of the global majority . Working in collaboration with Forestry England and community groups, we aimed to understand and eliminate the barriers in place which limit our communities’ experience, involvement and understanding of the surrounding landscapes and seascapes of the regionWe aimed to increase the number and range of people enjoying and learning from the natural world. We believe that only from first-hand experiences, knowledge and understanding of the British countryside can a relationship be fostered and developed. It so follows that from developing a relationship with our natural heritage, we as a group of people start to care about nature and hence start to conserve and protect our natural habitats and species for future generations.
Feel the Green- Reconnecting with Nature, a natural heritage project led by Earth Sea Love CIC and supported by the Forestry England had three main strands; engagement, belonging and amplification. Engagement was geared towards regular and constructive contact and participation with nature such as family friendly days, seasonal opportunities to forest bathe and engage in wellbeing mindfulness workshops supporting women’s and young men’s mental health. Through our work, we are moving towards a more inclusive natural heritage sector, Through a series of activities young and old people of the global majority get to spend more time in the natural environments, providing them with the experiences and knowledge to better understand what they can do/be in society at the same time as caring for nature.
Through a series of sessions over a number of months, groups and individuals gained practical and emotional skills to develop a knowledge and love of the outdoors, increasing their confidence and feelings of safety and comfort outdoors, as well as learning to minimise damage to the landscape.
Working with our members, networks and other national landscape organisations we amplified our experiences with nature by facilitating the conversations around people of colour and natural heritage in the mainstream through the creation of podcast episodes, website, blogging, vlogging, social media platforms, workshops and presentations within the community as well integrating such events into part of Forestry England’s events.
“There’s a big difference between being in naure and feeling you belong with nature.” WH