The Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme

Transcription

1 the world, according to the best geographers, is divided into Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Romney Marsh Rev. Richard Barham, The Ingoldsby Legends The Fifth Continent Landscape Partnership Scheme

2 Living Landscapes: Restore, Recreate, Reconnect Living Landscapes are recovery plans for nature championed by The Wildlife Trusts since 2006, which seek to create a resilient and healthy environment. Living Landscape work: Focuses on landscapes or large areas, rather than individual habitat patches Employs a multi-disciplinary approach (e.g. habitat creation and restoration, provision of landowner advice) Is carried out in partnership with a range of other organisations and local communities Delivers environmental benefits for people, such as health benefits, skills training and green tourism, as well as improving conditions for wildlife

3 Romney Marsh Living Landscape Partnership Formed in 2007, Led by KWT (RMLL) Strategic aims: To provide opportunities for people to discover, explore & learn about the Romney Marsh landscape & heritage To help people participate in looking after & celebrating the cultural & natural heritage of Romney Marsh To conserve or restore the built & natural features that make up the distinctive character of the marshes To provide opportunities for people to develop skills to care for, & share with others, the special heritage of the Romney Marsh

4 RMLL Grant Application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Landscape Partnership Scheme The grant aims to: conserve areas of distinctive landscape character promote an holistic and balanced approach to the management of landscape heritage at a landscape scale benefitting heritage, people and communities RMLL Considerations Outline Submission to HLF & First Round Pass April-Nov 2014 Commencement of Development Stage Jan 2015 Full Submission to HLF Oct 2016 Second Round Notification Mar 2017 Implementation of Delivery Stage Mar 2017-Sept 2020 Existing Officer Input No HLF funding 274,050 ( 43,750 of which to be secured from various sources) 2,307,650 ( 571,350 of which to be secured from various sources) Possible Match-Funding: Visit Kent, Marsh Million Fund, Environment Agency, Diocese of Canterbury, Central Government Education & Apprenticeship Funding, RDPE LEADER Programme, KCC Heritage Team, Other in-kind staff time, volunteer time, donations

5 The scheme covers 86% of the Living Landscape area (242km 2 ).

6 Three-Pronged Approach 1. Restore (RS) - Facilitate the restoration, recreation and enhancement of the built and natural heritage of the area 2. Rediscover (RD) - Put the communities and people of the Marsh back at the centre of their landscape and heritage; enhance opportunities for visitors and locals alike 3. Reclaim (RC) - Develop opportunities for learning and skills development

7 Restore: RS1 Shingle on the Cusp (Vegetated Shingle Project) 2000ha of vegetated shingle habitat on Romney Marsh Threats from visitor pressures, gravel extraction, climate change and over grazing by rabbits. Over 600 species of plants - around one third of the national flora Difficult to restore Project Elements: Detailed evaluation of the whole coastal shingle resource Study of current and past threats, review of current and past management techniques, and preparation of a plan of action Implementation of shingle restoration and species control measures Provision of general and bespoke landholding information

8 Restore: RS2 Blue Lanes of Romney Marsh (Ditch & Grazing Marsh Project)) 90% of the ditches on the Marsh are privately managed; remainder by Romney Marsh Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency A large proportion are subject to insensitive management for wildlife Project Elements: Feasibility Study for habitat works including hydrological assessment Ditch enhancement works Marsh restoration and enhancement works Training workshops, forums and advice surgeries Provision of general and bespoke landholding information

9 Restore: RS3 Monitoring the Marsh (Habitat & Species Monitoring) Project Elements: Digitisation of outstanding survey reports into the KMBRC database Completion of habitat survey coverage for the Sussex side of the project area Analysis of habitat change Development of recording methodology for species of local importance Purchase of recording equipment Training events for the wider public, local naturalist volunteers and on-the-ground staff and contractors

10 RS4: Heritage Gap Analysis - Collation of archaeological information including production of reading list and list of archive/museum collections - Identification of strengths and weaknesses in knowledge - Identification of stakeholders - Defining the detail for the Hunt for Romney Port, Churches of Romney Marsh, Staff Secondments/Exchanges, Community Heritage Officer role and RS5 below. RS5: Geomorphology, Geology & Land Use Information Project incorporating: - Archaeological surveys for landholdings by volunteers - Production of Environment Reports for landholdings (including archaeology, geology, geomorphology and ecology)

11 Restore: RS6 Green Lanes for Bumblebees Project Elements: Provision of professional advice Post-grad training placement Volunteer Training Purchase of Survey Equipment Running of Workshops Production of leaflets

12 Rediscover: RD1 Hunt for Romney Port Project Elements: Purchase of survey equipment Meeting of digger costs Professional advice and supervision Volunteer workshops Production of leaflets

13 Rediscover: RD2 Sentinels of the Marsh (Historical Surveys & Heart of the Marsh Projects) Churches contribute to the visible heritage of Romney Marsh. Some have been studied by researchers or community heritage groups Under-used as community hubs and tourist attractions Project Elements: Volunteer research studying the churches (and lost churches ) and their relationship with the landscape Community excavation of the St Martin s Church site (New Romney) Volunteer scheme enabling churches to open to the public as community spaces New interpretation (audio guides, an app, a mobile exhibition, self-guided walks) Heritage tourism package, possibly linked in with other visitor attractions and accommodation providers Wildlife gardening project Grazing project with local graziers and volunteer livestock checkers ( lookers ) Young artists in residence

14 Rediscover: RD3 The New Lookers (Community Policing Project) A need to tackle anti-social behaviour to address heritage crime. Project Elements: Additional police resources on the Marsh Development of network of local lookers Awareness raising meetings New publications

15 Rediscover: RD4 Community Tapestry Project Project Elements: Devising a Tapestry Engagement Plan Purchase of art & craft materials Holding of supervised tapestry workshops Training of volunteers to help run activity sessions Funding of training placement Touring exhibition outlining the development of the tapestry

16 Rediscover: RD5 Rediscovering the Fifth Continent Project Elements: Innovative and inspiring community engagement programme Dedicated Fifth Continent website and newsletter Development of Teachers Packs New trails and signage Refurbishment of railway carriage as teaching space at RMVC

17 Rediscover: RD6 Sustainable Tourism Project Project Elements: Detailed review of current tourism studies with recommendations and clear strategy for promoting sustainable tourism in the area Branding of Romney Marsh with an identity which is appealing to the visitor and representative of certain values Annual sustainable tourism conference

18 Rediscover: RD7 Coastal Communities Heritage Project Project Elements: Recording of the living history of new seaside communities including oral history Production of interpretation panels

19 Reclaim: RC1 Traineeship & Apprenticeship Programme for Young People 16 week intervention package for NEETs to reach the required attainment level in English and Maths and receive coaching in life-related subjects, followed by further training through vocational traineeships and apprenticeships in conservation, agriculture and sustainable tourism Wider suite of traineeships for other young people including in specialist crafts, media skills, graphic design, project management and volunteer management

20 Requirements of the Development Stage Funding Needs to Be Secured for Development & Delivery Stages Ultimately, HLF will be asked to cover 75% of the costs of delivering the Fifth Continent Project. Reports Need to be Commissioned As well the reports already mentioned, the following need to be written with the support of consultants. Community Engagement Plan Landowner Engagement Plan Interpretation Audit & Plan Monitoring & Evaluation Plan Project Ideas Need to be Finalised Detail of exactly what will be undertaken during the Delivery phase of the project needs to be outlined. Plans Need to be Written & Documents Collated HLF requires a number of plans to be drawn up to ensure that project outputs and outcomes are clear to everyone. Landscape Conservation Action Plan Fundraising Plan Project Business Plan Updated copy of the Partnership Agreement Evaluation Reporting Form Photographs to illustrate the Project.

21 The Benefits. Efficiencies/pooling resources eg. Grazing, marketing New people resources ie. volunteers, staff Others expertise Release of draw-down funding Spatial relationships (ecological & personal) Competitive tendering Not alone in dealing with the big headaches Reputation & Publicity

22 Community Tapestry 2% Sustainable Tourism 3% Interpretation Audit 4% Monitoring & Evaluation 1% Railway Carriage Plans 1% Community Consultation 1% Heritage Gap Analysis 5% Staff Costs & Support 21% Blue Lanes 5% Farmer Engagement Plan 5% Monitoring the Marsh 16% Traineeship Programme 10% Other Costs (eg. Contingency) 12% Shingle on the Cusp 14% DEVELOPMENT STAGE FUNDING

23 Community Tapestry 2% Railway Carriage 1% Green Lanes for Bumblebees 1% New Lookers 1% Sustainable Tourism Conference 1% New Communities Project 1% Monitoring & Evaluation 0% Hunt for Romney Port & Hunt for Romney Port & Other (eg. Digger, publications, supervision) 3% Shingle on the Cusp 4% Blue Lanes 5% Staff Costs & Support 32% hurches at Heart of the Marsh (eg. Wildlife gardening, artist, publications, digital) 5% Monitoring the Marsh 5% Rediscovering the New Continent (eg. Walks, events, website, teachers packs) 8% Other Costs (eg. Contingency) 14% Traineeship Programme 17% DELIVERY STAGE FUNDING