We have been traveling together, using the indigenous community Who uses them to make visible their intangible knowledge and land use.
We spent a lot of time mapping Penpont’s past and the natural and cultural diversity that existed here, the state of the land and the livelihoods it supports today, and what we want Penpont to look like in the near and distant future.
tooling
The mapping process is a great way to start working in a sustainable manner. It allows us to engage in hours of intergenerational dialogue, helping us learn new things about the land and each other.
That’s why these maps are called “Talking Tools’.
We can easily dismiss voices with whom we don’t necessarily agree, even before we hear their point of view. We see this all the time in discussions about natural restoration and rewilding, where farmers are often seen as the enemy.
We found it very interesting to meet some of the farmers on the Penpont estate. After hearing them talk, we are able to understand their perspective and appreciate the benefits they bring.
Without this planning work and these discussions, we would not be able to work together to create a shared vision of a broader future for Penpont, which we are all working together now in the action phase of the project.
The recovery of nature…
The land of Penpont has begun to evolve for the better, in line with our shared vision.
We’ve planted over 3,000 trees, restored hedgerows, started rewilding experiments, allowed nature to turn fields back into grasslands, sited new ponds, wetlands, willow beds, and are moving to regenerative farming practices.
Together, we are monitoring the land and designing an educational program to expose more young people like us from all backgrounds to the land.
Because we took the time to discuss and plan together, we are now able to move fast, and it’s not just the land that is changing
…is our recovery
There is so much evidence that the more time we spend in nature, the more inspired we are to protect it.
In one we only have free access to approximately 8% of land. We know that by restoring nature together, we can restore ourselves. We have experienced it firsthand.
I (Emily) am a natural introvert. I prefer to listen to other people and sometimes find it difficult to communicate my thoughts to a group of people I don’t know.
Penpont has helped a lot with my confidence because I’ve been interacting with people I’ve never met before. I learned more about our natural environment from them.
The Penpont project has allowed me (Esther) to talk to all kinds of people and really listen deeply. Even if you don’t agree with what some people say, I understand that you should listen to them because their advice will have a reason. The more perspectives we hear, the better our projects will undoubtedly be.
future now
Restoring nature offers us an opportunity to open the doors to our countryside and reconnect people and places, which means we care better about the planet in the future.
This can only happen if these projects are collaborative and intergenerational. Otherwise, they risk repeating the mistakes of the past as they work to build a brighter future.
Young people can help lead the way, as we do at Penpont, where we are creating and living a brighter future now. We have energy, passion and tools. We just need opportunities.
these authors
Esther is a young activist working in the environment and education. She is passionate about championing young people’s voices, reshaping education systems to reduce inequality, and helping protect the environment from climate and biodiversity crises.
Emily is a tenth grader interested in conservation and writing. She loves meeting other young people in the Penpont program and learns more each time. She has three cats and a dog and is learning to play the harp. She is also learning to ring church bells.
learn more about pembang plan.
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