Inspiring rural heritage: sustainable practices to protect and conserve upland landscapes and memories
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
Europe's upland landscapes are a rich and complex heritage, born of the interaction of nature and culture over millennia. Local communities can play an active and essential role in conserving and protecting this heritage, benefitting wider society. However, current conservation measures and land-use decisions consistently fail to consider the historic dimension of upland landscapes and underestimate the contribution of local practitioners in sustaining their environment through active use. IRIS is a response to these concerns, and to the threats to upland landscapes from depopulation, abandonment, the loss of traditional skills and land use change driven by the climate emergency and economic trends.
IRIS aims to advance the socially and environmentally sustainable conservation, protection and use of upland landscapes. The project will research and develop a 'living heritage' approach to conservation, promoting the 'protection through use' of upland environments and adjacent rural areas. Through intensive and participatory research in five countries (Spain, France, Italy, Montenegro, the UK) and wider European research and knowledge exchange, IRIS will:
* Demonstrate how knowledge of historical processes and land use practices supports the conservation and sustainable development of upland landscapes;
* Define a 'living heritage' approach to conservation and best practices through which local stakeholders can embed in their cultural values, local expertise and traditions;
* Support collaboration among local institutions and communities and realise effective and diverse participation in the conservation, protection, sustainable development and use of upland landscapes;
* Provide local and European policy makers with new tools that will enable them to: (a) take into account the historical dimension of rural places, and; (b) implement a 'living heritage' approach to decision-making;
* Create a new research framework that advances knowledge of upland cultural heritage and its wider social and environmental values and benefits;
* Communicate and disseminate the research results at local, European and wider international levels.
Key words: living rural heritage, uplands, agro-forestry-pastoral practices, cultural memory, participation
IRIS aims to advance the socially and environmentally sustainable conservation, protection and use of upland landscapes. The project will research and develop a 'living heritage' approach to conservation, promoting the 'protection through use' of upland environments and adjacent rural areas. Through intensive and participatory research in five countries (Spain, France, Italy, Montenegro, the UK) and wider European research and knowledge exchange, IRIS will:
* Demonstrate how knowledge of historical processes and land use practices supports the conservation and sustainable development of upland landscapes;
* Define a 'living heritage' approach to conservation and best practices through which local stakeholders can embed in their cultural values, local expertise and traditions;
* Support collaboration among local institutions and communities and realise effective and diverse participation in the conservation, protection, sustainable development and use of upland landscapes;
* Provide local and European policy makers with new tools that will enable them to: (a) take into account the historical dimension of rural places, and; (b) implement a 'living heritage' approach to decision-making;
* Create a new research framework that advances knowledge of upland cultural heritage and its wider social and environmental values and benefits;
* Communicate and disseminate the research results at local, European and wider international levels.
Key words: living rural heritage, uplands, agro-forestry-pastoral practices, cultural memory, participation
| Description | The research has established that a 'living heritage' of skills and knowledge survives amongst hill farming communities in the Cheviot Hills, and it has documented how this living heritage has evolved over time and dynamically shaped local landscapes and communities. The research has also established that this heritage is at risk - because of depopulation, changes to land management and land use strategies, and changes to farming practice driven by social and economic trends and the policy environment - but there is a desire amongst local communities and institutions to sustain it creatively into the future. The research is providing an evidential basis for discussions amongst stakeholders (including farmers, estate owners and managers, community organisations and public authorities) about the actions needed to sustain inherited farming skills and knowledge and about the potential contributions of this heritage to addressing climate, biodiversity and social goals. |
| Exploitation Route | The research has generated new evidence on the character and survival of the 'living heritage' of farming skills and knowledge in northern England and southern Scotland, and it is generating new understanding of how this heritage can contribute to a range of climate, biodiversity and social goals. Farmers and land managers might use this knowledge in developing locally-appropriate land use and land management strategies and practices. Public authorities and community organisations might use the information to develop their provision for safeguarding cultural heritage, supporting community development and promoting sustainable agriculture and action on climate and biodiversity. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Title | Historic Landscape Analysis |
| Description | Uses existing data sets to map the character of the existing landscape. This includes information about ecology, archaeology and history, some targeted fieldwork and archive research with some participant observation with local residents, land managers etc. |
| Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This task is currently in process. The main impacts will be 1) a layered 'heritage map', 'participatory maps', 'risk maps' - all of which will in due course form the basis for our cultural routes and exhibition. |
| Title | Mapping present management & conservation practices in the Case Study Area |
| Description | Analysis of the key instruments adopted by governmental bodies and international NGOs, and identification of examples of good practice from the UK. The UK database considers polices which cover: a) the UK as a whole (UK Government); b) Scotland only (Scottish Government) or England only (UK Government), and; c) the two regions in which the case study sits, Scottish Borders and Northumberland (each of which has its own regional government). Step 1 data and methods include: • A systematic review of published policy documents (e.g. policy statements, guidelines, strategies, plans; formal evaluations of policy implementation); • A review of the research literature (where available for the country/area in question); • Analysis of unpublished policy documents, where accessible (e.g. reports from government agencies/public bodies or NGOs); • And - where necessary to fill any significant gaps in understanding - interviews with selected stakeholders e.g. officials from government or from public bodies, staff from national or regional-level NGOs. In Step 2, we will identify and assess good policy and practice and critically assess how these examples of good practice are supporting living heritage in the case study area, promoting the development of the associated communities, and contributing towards wider societal goals of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security and/or rural community development; identify any key policies and measures through which government (at the relevant levels) is supporting living heritage and its use in the case study area; critically assess what been done to put these policies and measures into practice, and what the results have been; describe and assess the support which is being provided to local communities and practitioners by other external actors, e.g. NGOs. Data and methods could include: • A stakeholder analysis to identify and prioritise potential research interviewees and other contacts; • Interviews (e.g. with community representatives, public servants from local government or national/regional parks, NGO staff); • Meetings or workshops (e.g. with community groups and organisations, staff from local government/public bodies); • A systematic review of published or unpublished policy documentation (e.g. park management plans; reports produced by local administrative authorities); • A review of published research (where available for the case study area). |
| Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The key impacts are: a) Mapping the main instruments - e.g. laws, policies, strategies - through which the relevant levels of government are incorporating the international frameworks and principles into domestic policy and practice; b) Evaluating the practical measures through which the relevant levels of government are implementing these frameworks and principles (e.g. funding/subsidies, regulations, guidelines, training schemes, practical programmes and actions); c) Assessing the effectiveness of the different policy measures in realising the internationally-recognised principles, goals and objectives ; d) Identifying examples of good practice (from outside of the IRIS case study area in each country); e) Assessing how these examples of good practice are supporting living heritage and realising its benefits for biodiversity, climate change, food security and/or rural community development. |
| Title | Oral history and participatory mapping dataset |
| Description | This dataset comprises: (1) interviews with farmers, estate staff and others in the Cheviot Hills area (audio recordings and transcripts), and; (2) associated maps created by the interviewees to show previously unrecorded details of land management and land use practice and how they have changed over time. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Too early to assess impact - the research and associated impact activities are ongoing. |
| Description | Durham University/GEODE UMR5602 (CNRS and UTJ2), Université Toulouse II Jean Jaurès (GEODE) IRIS collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Toulouse |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | DU/Inherit provide a complementary UK case study and will manage tasks which involve GEODE UMR5602 (CNRS and UTJ2), Université Toulouse II Jean Jaurès (GEODE). |
| Collaborator Contribution | GEODE UMR5602 (CNRS and UTJ2), Université Toulouse II Jean Jaurès (GEODE) provide the French case study for the IRIS project and manage tasks. |
| Impact | Too early in the project |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Durham University/Genoa University IRIS collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Genoa |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Durham/Inherit part of the IRIS project is defined by the ERC application and includes management of some tasks and the development of a UK case study in the Cheviots on the Scottish-English border. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UoGenoa is one of the JPICH partners for the IRIS project |
| Impact | Too early in the project |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Durham University/Granada University IRIS collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Granada |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Durham University/Inherit will manage elements of the IRIS project undertaken by Granada University and provide a complementary case study |
| Collaborator Contribution | Granada University will undertake a Spanish case study as part of the IRIS project |
| Impact | Too early in the project |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Durham University/INHERIT (York Archaeological Trust) IRIS collaboration |
| Organisation | York Archaeological Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Briefly, we will all contribute time and effort to the IRIS project. However, the project is in a very early stage at present. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The project is at an early stage at present |
| Impact | n/a |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Durham University/University of Montenegro |
| Organisation | University of Montenegro |
| Country | Montenegro |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Durham University/Inherit will manage elements of the IRIS project undertaken by Montenegro University and provide a complementary case study |
| Collaborator Contribution | Montenegro University will undertake a Montenegrin case study as part of the IRIS project |
| Impact | Too early in the project |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Ad Gefrin (meeting) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Meeting with Ad Gefrin CEO Chris Ferguson to discuss local and regional contacts, research topics, museum space at the distillery, options for leafleting and trails. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Ad Gefrin Trust |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Meeting with trustees of the Ad Gefrin Trust responsible for the Yeavering archaeological site which lies within the bounds of our Cheviots study area |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Article in Glendale Live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We published an article about the research in a local (print and online) magazine called Glendale Live. The purpose of doing this was to share the ongoing research with local audiences and to invite potential research participants to contact us. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | College Valley Estate (meetings) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Several meetings with College Valley Estate (a landowner in our study area) to: (a) present the project to them; (b) discuss collaboration to facilitate the research and to feed the results of the research into estate management and land use activities (laying the groundwork for deriving impact from the research) and; (c) having secured their collaboration, to progress particular tasks and actions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Glendale Agricultural Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We ran a stand at the Glendale Agricultural Show (in our study area) providing information about the research through posters, leaflets and talking to show attendees. The purpose of doing this was to share the ongoing research with local audiences and recruit further research participants. We engaged with local farmers, members of the public, representatives of local businesses, community organisations and public bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Glendale Agricultural Society (meetings) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Meetings with Glendale Agricultural Society (association for local farmers) to faclitate the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Glendale Gateway Trust (meetings) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Meetings to discuss possible and ongoing role of GGT in the IRIS project, use of space for meetings, contacts with other local and regional organisations, use of library and resources held by GGT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Glendale Local History Society (meetings) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Meetings with the GLHS to discuss collaboration, events, outcomes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Meeting with Northumberland Archives |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Meeting with Northumberland Archives (public archive service for Northumberland) to discuss and agree collaboration on the project. The Archives agreed to facilitate our research and, at the end of the project, to receive research material (particularly oral history interviews) for long-term archiving and public access. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Northumberland National Park (meetings) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Developing project with NNP representatives, especially Chris Jones. Topics included contact lists, venues, outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |