Landscapes depend on the stewardship of place-based communities. Partnering with local communities to catalyze restoration is therefore an important part of how holistic landscape regeneration can create positive-lasting change. Collaboration not only enhances the landscape but also generates greater benefits for the community.  

That is why Forth Rivers Trust is in the initial stages of a journey to understand the local context and develop a roadmap for community collaboration alongside establising a LENs.  We believe that collaboration with place-based communities to create projects integrates a variety of perspectives, ideas and efforts, enabling greater value for more people. It inspires involvement, fosters resilience, and leads to better outcomes.  

To learn more about the amazing community initiatives of Kinross-shire, we have been meeting with local community groups and projects and attending local events like the Better Place to Live Fair and Climate Café.  

To deepen our understanding we have launched two community surveys. One aims to map out local organizations and sustainability initiatives, while the other explores residents’ interactions with nature and their interest in developing green skills. Find them on the Leven LENs project page. 

Learning more about the local context and the numerous inspiring initiatives has only reinforced the value of place-based knowledge and multitude of perspectives. Our understanding of local initiatives and how our project can complement existing efforts has evolved significantly since we started the project in January. We’re excited about the continued learning ahead. Thank you to everyone who has shared their time, ideas, and energy with us!