Communities Engaging in Nature Conference
About this Event
A space for anyone who works with and as part of communities in nature. This one day conference will bring together a wide range of perspectives from across Scotland with opportunities for discussion, networking and discovery.
What's happening?
There will be presentations, workshops, lunchtime activities, collective reflective activities and time to feel inspired by each other. Themes include:
- Community ecosystems: celebrating community efforts large and small that connect people and nature
- For people and planet: combining community and nature benefits in landscape design and management
- Ways into wellbeing: exploring different approaches to wellbeing in community projects
- How to grow a community project: hear inspiring stories of how community projects have grown and developed their work in nature
- Community skills for nature: case studies of projects that deliver vital skills in community settings to protect nature
- What is a community garden? Examples of community growing that break the mould
- Celebrating the "co" in community: examples of collaboration, co-production, co-creation.
See full programme here and agenda below.
You will be asked to select your activities on the booking form. If you change your mind you can update your form via Eventbrite.
Photo above - credit Angela Farnish (speaker), Abundant Borders
Line up
We are delighted to have an amazing selection of speakers! You can read all about them in our programme.
- Akriti Mathur, Get Sow Green
- Ally Hurčíková, Grassroots Remedies Co-op
- Angela Farnish and Kirsten Bowers, Abundant Borders
- Annabel Davidson Knight, Scottish Land Commission
- Cadence Yu and Rafa Crombie, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
- Camilo Brokaw and Sarah Tirado-Bowers, CEMVO Scotland
- Cassandra Barron, Bookbinding with Cass
- Catriona Ferguson and Finn McElrue-Inch, Amphibian Reptile Conservation
- Claire McLean, St Boswells Primary School Garden/ St Boswells Community Woodland
- Dr Emma Bush, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Emma Martindale, Trellis
- Dr Jaima H Smith, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo
- Jo McFarlane, CLP (Charlestown, Limekilns and Pattiesmuir) Nature Action
- Juliette Camburn, Keep Scotland Beautiful
- Katrina Wilde and Paula Niño, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Laura Curtis-Moss, RSPB Scotland and John Muir Trust
- Lisa Houston, Edinburgh Agroecology Coop/Lauriston Agroecology Farm
- Martyna Michalak, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
- Rebecca Lewis, Buglife
- Rita Budavári, Transition Edinburgh South
- Rory Crawford, Nature Towns and Cities
- Sheena Raeburn, RaeburnFarquharBowen landscape architecture & urban design
- Sheilagh Guthrie, Care4Calais Scotland
- Tatheer Fatima, Networking Key Services
Photo above - credit Tatheer Fatima (speaker) from Networking Key Services
Ticket types
Tickets are on a sliding scale:
- Full price, £50. This ticket is for anyone whose organisation has the budget to fund them to attend.
- Reduced price, £25. This ticket is for those who can contribute towards basic costs but cannot afford the full price.
- Fully funded, £0. Anyone who cannot afford full or reduced price can select this option. Speakers registering should select this option also.
All tickets prices include refreshements, lunch and a full day of activities.
Access Needs
Please let us know any access needs on the booking form. We can book BSL interpreters on request. The event is wheelchair accessible (there are no steps).
Dietary requirements
Refreshments and lunch will be provided to all attendees. All food will be vegetarian. We can cater to all dietary requirements so please let us know on the booking form.
Photo above - credit Juliette Camburn, Keep Scotland Beautiful
Getting to the conference
We encourage attendees to travel via public transport whenever possible. Our Science Buildings are very near the bus stop for the 8.9,23 and 27 bus routes. They are also a 30 minutes walk from Waverley Train Station. The 21, 14 and 36 bus routes are also nearby.
On street parking is available near the Garden (both paid and free). No parking spaces are available at the Garden itself.
Please note - this event takes place in the Balfour Building/Science Buildings on Inverleith Place. Please avoid arriving at the East Gate (further down the street) and look for this entrace which can only be accessed from the street.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Registration Window
Info: Teas and coffees available
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Welcome and Housekeeping
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Opening Presentation: Camilo Brokaw and Sarah Tirado-Bowers, CEMVO Scotland
Info: This presentation will explore nature connection as a powerful tool for advancing human rights, equity, and belonging, encouraging audiences to rethink traditional assumptions about what nature connection means and who it is for.
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Community ecosystems: panel discussion
Info: Community ecosystems: celebrating community efforts large and small that connect people and nature
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Workshop 1: For people and planet
Info: For people and planet: combining community and nature benefits in landscape design and management
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Workshop 2: Ways into wellbeing
Info: Ways into wellbeing: exploring different approaches to wellbeing in community projects
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Workshop 3: How to grow a community project
Info: How to grow a community project: hear inspiring stories of how community projects have grown and developed their work in nature
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM
Lunch and optional activities
Info: Lunch will be provided. Participants can choose to attend an optional activity including visiting the Palm Houses, silent sketching in the Garden or a bug hunt!
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Workshop 1: Community skills for nature
Info: Community skills for nature: case studies of projects that deliver vital skills in community settings to protect nature
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Workshop 2: What is a community garden?
Info: What is a community garden? Examples of community growing that break the mould
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Workshop 3: Celebrating the "co" in community
Info: Celebrating the "co" in community: examples of collaboration, co-production, co-creation.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Collective reflection activity and refreshments
Info: Time to discuss, reflect and gather your thoughts. There will be options to take part silently or with others. You will be given prompts and creative tools to share your thoughts.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Presentation
Info: Emma Martindale, Trellis: Emma will explore how gardening and nature can be incorporated into health settings and the potential benefits for patients, service users, staff and communities.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00 to GBP 50.00
