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Exploring the Future of the Fens: Cultivating community insights
Reported by Dr Catherine Waite, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge and Cambridge Zero Darwin College David MacKay Research Associate
On Saturday June 8, 2024, Dr Catherine Waite organised an event as part of the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens Festival of Plants. The event, titled ‘Exploring the Future of the Fens’, aimed to deepen the public's understanding and connection to the Fenland landscape, exploring their perceptions and knowledge while providing a space for conversation with researchers working on Fenland regeneration. Over 150 members of the public took part, ranging in age from under 10 to 60+.
This event invited the general public to interact with a series of photos and exhibits and to chat with researchers working on Fenland restoration from the Centre for Landscape Regeneration (CLR). This was designed to provoke thought and discussion about the Fens and participants were able to share their thoughts. They were asked to reflect on four categories: what they like about the Fens, what they don't like, what they believe was better in the past, and what they would like to see in the future. These reflections were recorded on sticky notes and added to large sheets of paper, creating a visual matrix of community perspectives. This setup fostered a rich dialogue among participants and researchers. Word clouds showing the most common responses to the questions are shown below.
Alongside this interactive discussion, the Cambridge Science Centre hosted an activity that captivated younger audiences. Children were given the opportunity to recycle an empty CD case into their own miniature greenhouse! By filling the cases with compost and planting a bean inside, they can observe the growth process up close as the slim CD cases lets you see the roots and shoot growing through the soil. This hands-on activity not only engaged children in learning about plant biology and the physics of greenhouses but also tied in the significance of food production in the Fens.
The event attracted a diverse group of participants, sparking interest and curiosity in both adults and children. The ability to take home the miniature greenhouses was particularly appreciated, as it provided a lasting reminder of the event and encouraged continued reflection on the topics covered. Some of the children expressed excitement about watching their beans grow, while adults found the discussions about the Fens' future enlightening and thought-provoking.
By raising awareness of the research conducted by the Centre for Landscape Regeneration and highlighting the importance of the Fens' unique ecosystem, the event accomplished several key goals. It brought attention to the complexities of managing the landscape to balance biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, water management, economic factors, and food production. Moreover, it identified particular areas of public interest that could be explored in future research and community engagement efforts.
Dr Catherine Waite
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge