Community Engagement

Overview

Community engagement is a huge part of the project and is largely directed by Fife Council (FC). The Trust has taken part in a series of local community events organised by FC, that have involved simply talking to members of the public and finding out what they think about the paths network along the river valley, and what they would like to see in future. Many people already have strong views that they would like to see an improvement in the paths e.g. no water logging, better connections, cycling access and vegetation management. Wildlife is of particular interest to many and they would like to see continued survival and improvements in a range of species.

The Trust is managing engagement which directly relates to wildlife. Our engagement activities include guided wildlife walks focussing on survey of otters, deer, amphibians and insects. The wildlife sessions have been fully subscribed so far during the project and we propose to have many more in the coming years, using different members of Trust staff and making optimal use of their various specialisations. Other activities include river clean-ups, pond dipping, a bat box building workshop and electrofishing demonstrations. The activities offer an ideal opportunity to gather peoples views and help ensure the project provides outcomes that people actually want and will feel invested in.