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Restoring a shared space is a way of reconnecting people to their natural heritage and bringing back the ecological features that define a community's identity and make it unique. Regardless of the scale of a project, whether it is focused on enhancing a neighbourhood parkette or bringing an urban river back to life, community greening revolves around people working together in a spirit of cooperation.
There are two key questions to consider throughout the naturalization process. The first question focuses on ecological design-how to develop a holistic design that is responsive to the landscape as well as to all of its inhabitants. The second question focuses on the group process-how to plan and develop a project that involves and respects everyone who has an interest in its outcome.
Community naturalization is about the relationship between people and the natural world we are part of. Regardless of the scale of a project, whether it is focused on enhancing a neighbourhood parkette or bringing an urban river back to life, community greening revolves around people working together in a spirit of cooperation. Restoring a shared space is a way of reconnecting people to their natural heritage and bringing back the ecological features that define a community's identity and make it unique.
There are two key questions to consider throughout the naturalization process. The first question focuses on ecological design-how to develop a holistic design that is responsive to the landscape as well as to all of its inhabitants. The second question focuses on the group process-how to plan and develop a project that involves and respects everyone who has an interest in its outcome.
As every naturalization project is unique, there are no standard answers to these questions. Each project will differ in terms of the physical and natural characteristics of the site and the "bioregion" in which it is located. The skills and interests of the participants and the needs of the broader community also contribute to a project's unique identity.
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What is a bioregion?
A "bioregion" is a distinct region whose boundaries are determined by nature rather than by people. A bioregion can be defined by a dominant type of vegetation, such as a boreal forest, or by a geographical feature, such as a watershed. |
There are three guiding principles that will help you translate the value of ecological design and group process into action. Using them as the foundation of your design process will enable you to create an ethic of stewardship that will foster and sustain your project.
The participatory process is essentially about working together in a spirit of mutual respect and acknowledging that each person brings something of value to the initiative. A partial list of the groups and individuals you may want to consider includes local residents, community groups, environmental organizations, government agencies and local businesses. In a participatory process, the whole team is involved in the decision making at every stage of the project. In other words, a participatory approach invites others to create a collective vision, to determine the agenda and eventually to carry it out. One approach to making decisions that follows a participatory approach is called consensus decision making.
Benefits
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Consensus decision making is a method of making decisions that reflects everyone's point of view. Unlike taking a majority vote, making decisions by consensus means finding a solution that is acceptable to all group members. It does not mean that everybody gets his or her first choice or is completely satisfied with the decision. It does mean reaching a decision that each member can live with and will openly support once the meeting is over.
Managing many opinions and ideas can be very challenging and typically takes longer than other decision-making methods. Some groups have found it helpful to bring in a skilled facilitator to help them get started. Although there are challenges associated with consensus decision making, the extra time and effort invested can pay off in high-quality innovative decisions that all team members are committed to fulfilling.
Given that any project is the result of a larger number of decisions, it makes sense to delegate decision-making powers to smaller groups. Reserve larger group decision making for key decisions. This will help focus all meetings on pursuing action items and will keep participants more actively involved.
Before you can implement consensus decision making, everyone must agree to the process. Generally it works best in small groups in which everyone's opinion can be heard. As with a participatory approach, deciding by consensus takes time and commitment.
Choose a facilitator. His or her task is to remain impartial, keep the discussion focused and ensure that all members have an opportunity to express their views.
Explain that when a participant puts forward an issue for discussion, each member of the group is allowed a chance to voice approval or concern.
Following the discussion, the facilitator asks if there are any unresolved issues or concerns.
If there are not and everyone agrees, the decision is made. If consensus is not achieved, however, the discussion continues. Each member of the group has a chance to voice an opinion without interruption.
Following the round, the facilitator may summarize the views that have been expressed. Someone suggests a decision, again seeking the agreement of other members.
The proposed decision is discussed and modified until everyone agrees with it, or at least finds it acceptable.
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The Inclusive Approach: A Case Study
Sudbury Better Beginning Better Futures (SBBBF) in Sudbury, Ontario, is a community organization that uses consensus decision making to plan and develop its community naturalization projects. According to Clem Farmer of SBBBF: "People work best together when they are allowed to express themselves freely. This is where being inclusive, and listening to opinions, thoughts and questions may facilitate the free exchange of ideas. It is extremely important to allow participants to share their points and engage them in the discussion in order to see the whole issue instead of its individual parts." |
The development of partnerships is key to the participatory approach. Reaching out beyond your group for everything from dollars to materials to specialized advice will help your group achieve all that it sets out to do.
An effective partnership is more than the sum of its parts. Working together enables each member to tap into the experiences, resources and networks of the other partners, and it provides the satisfaction of knowing that you are working as a team.
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Partners Along the Bow River: A Case Study
A partnership between the John Howard Society (JHS), the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation Department and Environment Canada has transformed Lawrey Gardens, a degraded site near downtown Calgary, Alberta, into a thriving natural area. The site, which once provided valuable habitat along the Bow River, was used for gravel mining operations and eventually became a dumping ground. By taking on this project, the JHS gave ex-offenders the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the community. By helping them make new contacts and build self-esteem, the project was a catalyst for their reintegration into society. This partnership provided the city with willing hands to restore a neglected space. It has created valuable wildlife habitat and has provided a healthy, dynamic greenspace for the residents of Calgary. |
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Examples Of Successful Partnerships
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A responsive design process is inspired and guided by nature. It also recognizes the needs and aspirations of the people involved as well as the broader community. A responsive design is flexible and adapts to the many unexpected changes in both your site and your group.
In order to be responsive to your site's ecological setting, you need to understand how it has been shaped by nature. Look at your site and interpret what is there and how it is being used. Reading the landscape will help to guide your design. For information and a sample template to help you collect this information, see Chapter 4, Mapping: Sizing Up Your Site and Its Uses. Examples of the features and processes that define a site's ecological setting include:
the types and diversity of plants present
how the site is used by birds, animals and people
whether it is physically connected to other natural areas or is an isolated fragment
the direction and intensity of the prevailing winds
the composition of the soil
Observing and understanding nature inspires creativity and enables you to see your site's full potential. For instance, the ability to identify different species of birds or plants leads to a greater appreciation of their distinctive traits. With this awareness, you also learn to allow nature to be your guide by recognizing the opportunities and limits that it has set for your site.
Just as natural conditions change, so too will the size and makeup of your group. Incoming members will bring new skills and experience, while those departing may leave a "skills gap." Establish a broad base of support to help maintain interest and stewardship of the site. Tips on finding and keeping volunteers are provided in Chapter 3.
It is also important to be responsive to how people use the site. You may have planned a trail in one location, but after observing the site you notice that people walk in another. See Chapter 4 for tips and templates for observing and documenting the site.
A responsive design process involves periodically taking stock of challenges and opportunities and being ready to respond to them proactively. This approach will enable you to focus on your long-term goals while adjusting, as necessary, the numerous tasks that will help you achieve them.
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Applying These Principles
As you proceed through the following chapters, keep in mind the three principles discussed in this chapter. Regardless of the task you are working on, remember that they are at the heart of any successful, sustainable community naturalization initiative. Work with these principles and adapt them to your needs as you take on the challenge of making your community a greener, more dynamic place. |
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