The ecoregen toolkit
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
The ecoregen toolkit aims to help you answer some important questions:
- Community — what do local people want?
- Ecology — what would nature do if left to its own devices?
- Design — how do you develop a plan that satisfies both?
- Delivery - who will do the work?
- Economics — who will pay for the work and the long-term management?
- Sustainability - what is the long-term vision for the site?
What was there before?
The past of a derelict site is more than history. It has helped and hindered what a site has come to be at the present time and bequeaths us physical remains and memories which can help make a future for it.
Maps
Many places have a rich record of maps which can give a graphic picture of what sites now derelict were like in the past. In Britain, the Ordnance Survey, many local government offices and estates have early editions of maps which can give details of older landscapes, the terrain and vegetation, the pattern of settlement, enclosure and communications, and the industrial development. These can help us unfold a story of landscape change, seeing how much and how fast a site altered, and give clues about the meaning of surviving landscape features and place-names.
Maps of Darwen Parkway from 1835 and 1939 show it as farmland before it became a series of sand-pits and railway sidings.
The ecoregen toolkit
ecoregen aims to help you restore land in a way which is community-led and ecologically-informed.
This toolkit provides a reference library for those looking for detailed information about land restoration techniques. Some of the information contained in the toolkit is therefore of a technical nature but each section contains useful contacts who may be able to help you develop your ideas further.
Working with people — how to involve the local community in making decisions about land in their neighbourhood and encourage them to volunteer their time to bring about change.
Working with nature — how to understand the natural ecology of a site and work with the grain of nature to enhance the ‘healing’ process and deliver a cost-effective solution.
Making it happen — how to negotiate the financial, legal and management issues that need to be considered when restoring land and where to go for specialist help and advice.
Making it last — how to ensure that once your restoration project is completed the site isn’t left to become derelict again including advice on long-term maintenance and funding strategies.
Sharing knowledge - an on-line library of publications and websites dealing in detail with many of the aspects raised.
Sharing experience - examples and case studies which have been collected together to provide ideas and inspiration for those looking to restore land in their community, together with a discussion forum to help you share information and find answers to your questions.
What is there now?
Knowing what plants and animals are present on a derelict site, how viable their populations are and how they are organised into the pattern of communities are essential first steps in using an ecological approach for restoration.
Consulting nature
In political terms, asking what is there now on a derelict site can be considered as a process of consultation with nature. The plants and animals on a site comprise living communities of their own: they depend upon it, their development is part of its history, and the successions they are involved in can give us one lead into a sustainable future.
Surveying the plants and animals on a derelict site is about making nature a partner in a restoration project. It can also be a way of getting local people involved in the site.
Ecological survey
Ecologists use particular techniques for this kind of scientific consultation, sampling plant and animal communities in systematic and robust ways, making inventories of the populations, mapping the distributions and the measuring the pace of the changes that are in train. Details of some important standardised survey methods can be found at the web site of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and on the UK Biodiversity web site. These methods include the National Vegetation Classification, the Common Bird Census (amongst other Bird Surveys carried out in Britain each year) and the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. Some European wide surveys are also conducted such as the European Bird Census. Modern technology can provide accurate and sophisticated assistance with survey though these aids are no substitute for expert skills of species identification and ecological understanding. It is important to use a standard technique when surveying so that other people can compare the data to different sites and observe any trends over time by using the same technique.
Groundwork has pioneered a new site survey technique using global positioning by satellite (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS). Click here for a fuller description of this approach and a link to an on-line demonstration.
When the patterns and processes on a derelict site are understood, predictions about what could happen next become more secure and informative and can lay the foundation for sustainable management.
Predicting successions
Putting together information on the vegetation patterns on a derelict site and an understanding of the underlying environmental influences, means that we can better identify the sequences of plant communities that are part of the successions represented there. Not all these steps will be represented at the present time. In some places, succession will still be in its early stages and here we can characterise the composition and structure of vegetation types that are yet to appear if succession proceeds unhindered. Elsewhere, the succession may be far advanced and we can predict what the earlier stages would have been like.
At many site it is possible to predict what direction vegetation succession will take. This example is from Darwen Parkway in Blackburn the direction of succession is influenced by acidity, fertility and wetness.
Tell me more about the ecoregen approach
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
Tell me more about the ecoregen approach
The ecoregen approach to land restoration is built on two guiding principles:
- Local people should be involved in decisions made about land in their neighbourhood
- Nature is often the best and most cost-effective ‘healer’ of derelict land
These two principles need to be balanced if land is to be restored in a way which promotes sustainable development — bringing together social, economic and environmental benefits.
Striking the balance
If left alone for ‘nature to take its course’ many derelict sites develop into rich and diverse habitats. However, this could take decades and in some circumstances natural decline or the frustration of the local community might make things worse rather than better.
Local authorities or landowners often have plans for redeveloping derelict sites into housing or commercial premises but this is not always practical or sensible and is frequently unpopular with existing residents. There is also a lot of derelict land which will never be suitable for this kind of development because of the nature of the space or the ground conditions.
In the same way the local community may have ideas for new facilities which would bring benefits in the short term but could be difficult or costly to maintain and don’t make the most of what is already there.
The ecoregen approach seeks to use the natural potential of sites to deliver facilities which meet the needs of the local community. It aims to create sustainable environments suitable for human enjoyment and nature conservation.
Enlisting nature’s help
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
Enlisting nature’s help
Enlisting nature’s help in the restoration of derelict sites involves encouraging the processes of natural recovery and working within the pattern of plant and animal communities developing there. This is more economic, helps build a more sustainable future for the place and encourages local distinctiveness. It also gives life to the involvement of local communities in the process of restoration.
Undertaking an ecological survey is about consulting a site and taking the land seriously as a partner so that nature can benefit from the restoration process as well as local people.
These are the steps you should take to enlist nature’s help:
Observe, sample and survey the plant and animal communities of a site by asking what is there now?
Look at the past history of the site in maps, documents, the remaining industrial infrastructure and the memories of the local communities to ask what was there before?
Explore the processes that have led from the past to the present, which are at work now and which will give shape to the future of the site by asking why is it there?
Predict the trajectories of development among the plant and animal communities to envisage potential future landscapes so that we know what could happen next?
Explore which of these scenarios might be chosen for a site having outlined the various costs and benefits of the options and so decide what will happen?
The following major section of the web-site considers how enlisting nature’s help can relate to the cultural resonance of derelict sites and their values and significance by Linking people and nature.
Some examples
Colliers’ Moss Common, St Helens, UK
Colliers’ Moss Common comprises 130 hectares of post industrial land straddling the main Manchester to Liverpool railway line to the south east of St Helens on Merseyside. To the south of the line lie the remains of Bold Colliery and Bold Power Station. To the north is the area once known as Bold Moss where fragments of a once extensive wetland remain at the fringes of the coal spoil heap.
In 1990 Groundwork St Helens, Knowlsey and Sefton accepted the challenge from British Coal to restore the site. In view of the rich local ecology, a decision was made at a very early stage that the reclamation work should aim to accelerate and enhance natural re-colonisation to create a nature-rich urban common for local people.
The Bold Moss Forum provided a constant link with local users and specific elements of the design have evolved over the years within an overall framework ensuring that natural regeneration and community involvement go hand in hand. Variations in soil conditions, for example, have produced a small-scale vegetation mosaic which requires gentle management suited to volunteer work.
Other habitats developed include wetlands (using existing lagoons), grassland, heathland, woodland and untreated colonising spoil. Colonies of orchids have been protected and encouraged to spread and wildlife surveys show that new species are returning year by year.
The site is now widely used as an informal recreational resource by local residents who use it for fishing, dog-walking and exercise. In 2000 a striking millennium bridge was added to the site which has had a huge impact on the appearance and integration of the moss providing a physical link between the two sides of the common for the first time since the railway was built in 1836.
Colliers Moss Common was the forerunner of a major community led ecological regeneration programme called Changing Places. See more details of Changing Places.
‘La Mitjana’, Lleida, Spain
‘La Mitjana’ is a wetland zone of 90ha owned by a local hydroelectricity company in an area adjacent to the city centre of Lleida. The habitat has developed on an area of siltation behind a dam, built in 1912, on the River Segre in north-eastern Spain. Part of the area has been used in the past by a railway company to dump quarry and other waste materials.
It was not until the late 1970’s that the ecological value of the wetland habitats was recognised but at this time the site and indeed the river as a whole was little integrated into the structure of the city, with various uncontrolled and damaging activities being carried out.
In addition the site was perceived as hostile by the local communities and very few people used it, a problem compounded by poor access. Water quality was also poor due to untreated waste water discharge. A major flood in 1982 focused much greater attention on the river. Realising that although a problem, La Mitjana also represented an enormous opportunity, the local authority (Ayuntamiento de Lleida) with the support of a number of partner organisations took a lead in realising the area’s much fuller potential.
Extensive community consultation and involvement was at the heart of the process. This identified issues, needs and priorities and raised the profile of La Mitjana as a valuable resource for the city which could benefit the residents as a whole. By involving schools, local residents, the University, existing users, potential new users and land-owning interests, a momentum was built which has resulted in a highly successful initiative.
There is now a much stronger bond between the people of Lleida, the River Segre in general and La Mitjana in particular. Physical improvements include a new bridge, footpaths, signage and features such as picnic benches, along with improving water quality, have made the site far more welcoming to visitors. The habitat is being gently managed to capitalise on natural regeneration, enhance biodiversity and ensure public safety. In addition to informal visits, each year 5,000 primary school children and 600 adults participate in organised events to study La Mitjana’s history and wildlife and to enjoy a peaceful and attractive riverside environment.
In 1998 La Mitjana was awarded a citation in the Dubai International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment.
www.Supergreenme.com
Linking people and nature
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
Linking people and nature
The ecology of derelict sites
Enlisting nature’s help
Getting Started (21 Steps to a Successful Project)
‘Getting Started’ is a step by step guide to running a successful regeneration project. It takes you through the process of running a project, from the initial planning stages to ensuring that your project lasts well into the future. It should be of particular value to non-professional users who know an area of land they want to help improve and who need guidance to think through what is involved. Of course, once a project is actually underway, the steps are unlikely to happen one-at-a-time or even in the order presented here. ‘Getting Started’ nevertheless provides an overview of the process with a number of helpful check lists and references to more detailed information and relevant content within ecoregen.
There are many different types of land areas in and around where people live, that are undervalued and underused, or may be threatened with inappropriate development. These may include pieces of woodland, wasteland, disused industrial sites and publicly owned open space.
Individuals and groups of residents are increasingly working together to improve, protect and adopt these areas and help them realise their full potential. Working with others and engaging the support of local agencies and public bodies, you have the power to make a real difference to your neighbourhood!
This web site will help to guide you through steps to help you change your area of land for your community:
All over Europe people are working to make a real difference to their local open spaces…. Why not do the same?
All about the original Ecoregen.org
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
This site describes a different approach to land restoration that works with local people and natural processes to create sustainable landscapes. The content is a mixture of ideas, information and examples. In addition there is an opportunity to share ide
Ecoregen is about reconnecting people with the land around them. It is about helping communities get the maximum benefit from land in their neighbourhood while ensuring that as a society we recognise our responsibilities to the environment.
Welcome to ecoregen - the site that helps you understand and take control of your surroundings.
ecoregen is about reconnecting people with the land around them. It is about helping communities get the maximum benefit from land in their neighbourhood while ensuring that as a society we recognise our responsibilities to the environment.
ecoregen describes how land can be improved and restored in a way that produces benefits for both people and wildlife.
ecoregen is a valuable information resource. However, it is also more than that. ecoregen offers a step-by-step guide to restoring damaged land. The ecoregen ‘toolkit’ offers a wealth of a practical tips, advice and contacts to help community groups and professional bodies overcome the challenges involved.
This site will be of interest to:
- Voluntary community groups
- Environmental organisations
- Local authorities
- Planners, designers and engineers
- Regeneration professionals
- Residents
- Ecologists
What is this site about?
This site describes a different approach to land restoration that works with local people and natural processes to create sustainable landscapes. The content is a mixture of ideas, information and examples.
What is on the site?
An introduction to the content of site can be found HERE. This illustrates the various steps this approach uses to restore post-industrial land for local people while working with nature. Examples of how these ideas can work in practice can be found HERE and further information, including files for downloading, can be found HERE. A forum in which knowledge can be shared with others can be found HERE.
Is the information specific to a particular country?
The ideas in this web-site have been developed through a UK experience within the organisation Groundwork UK. Whilst much of the material on this site will be useful in any country some more specific points may not be suitable. The material has also been informed by work and projects taking place in a number of other countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, the USA and Australia.
How do I find the information I want?
There are a number of ways of finding information on the site. The introduction looks at the project process and contains links to the parts of the site that directly link with parts of the project process. There is a site map that shows all the areas of the site, and it is also possible to browse the site through the various sections of it. All the information can be downloaded HERE in a searchable library along with a number of other documents relevant to the content of this website. This includes background source material, reports and studies based on the work of Groundwork and the Changing Places programme.
Sharing Knowledge
There are many publication and web sites that deal with similar issues to this web site. This section provides links and contact details for these. If you feel an important source of information is missing then please contact the site administrator and let them know.
Sharing Experience
An ‘ecological approach’ to land restoration means that treat each site must be treated as a unique opportunity with distinctive characteristics and challenges. It is therefore not possible to help with all possible issues that might occur on specific sites within the context of this web site.
This part of the site is therefore very important to further the use of community participative, ecologically informed approaches in the restoration of derelict land.
The two elements of sharing experience are a discussion forum where questions can be asked, experiences shared and also a number of example projects that will highlight a number of key issues in a very practical way.
Eco Toolkit - Consultation & Involvement
Ecoregen.org History - it was a great site. Here is a small part of it so all of that great work is not lost!
Source: Ecoregen
Topic: Consultation & Involvement
Sub Topic: planning
Type: Toolkit
Description:
This toolkit is divided into four sections, all of which can be accessed.
The four sections include:
1. Working with people- this section tells you how to find out what people think and how to help them understand more about the potential of derelict land on their doorstep. It provides advice on how to involve other people in making decisions and taking action and will help you reflect the views of a community in landscape designs
2. Working with Nature-This section will help you understand the process of natural recovery and help you educate others about the benefits of working in harmony with nature.
3. Making it Happen-This section is intended to provide guidance with legal and technical issues, as well as financial and management issues
4. Making it Last- This section provides advice on using processes and materials that don’t damage the wider environment. It will also help you make sure that a restored site will continue to be enjoyed and maintained by future generations. There is also information on social, environmental and economic sustainability.