Last updated: October 2021
The intervention at Ness Gardens was a result of the recommendation from the landmark 2010 report - 'Towards a New Social Purpose: Redefining the Role of Botanic Gardens'. (Reference 2). It is part of Growing the Social Role of Botanic Gardens research project, whose aim is to work with local communities on common issues of social and environmental importance (Reference 2). Additionally, as part of the University of Liverpool, the Gardens provide a resource for research programmes (Reference 3). The project involved workshops, designed to support the botanic gardens through their engagement with their social roles and help them deliver their chosen project. The three participating botanic gardens were asked to develop and deliver a discrete project that would address a social issue or community group relevant to their garden. Ness targeted socially disadvantaged people in its catchment area. A group of students from Shorefields Technology College in Liverpool took part in a joint project where for six days, they swapped the urban classroom for the garden. The evaluation was done by RCMG (Reference 2)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Botanical gardens
Key challenges
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Environmental education
- Social cohesion
- Social interaction
Focus
Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Strategy, plan or policy development
Project objectives
The project Growing the Social Role aimed to examine social inclusion and social responsibility in botanic gardens. It also offered a way forward for botanic gardens for mapping out socially relevant agents, directly engage with the social and environmental challenges. Ness targeted socially disadvantaged people. (Reference 2)
Implementation activities
-Due to the small number of participants, qualitative research methodologies were adopted to enable the research team to explore and understand the experiences of individuals and organisations in their wider contexts. Case studies were seen as an effective research strategy that encouraged the generation of detailed, intensive knowledge about a particular setting or location, including Ness Garden (Reference 2).
- workshops, designed to support the botanic gardens through their engagement with their social roles and help them deliver their chosen project were held
-The three participating botanic gardens were asked to develop and deliver a discrete project that would address a social issue or community group relevant to their garden. Ness targeted socially disadvantaged people in its catchment area. A group of students from Shorefields Technology College in Liverpool took part in a joint project where for six days, they swapped urban classroom for the garden. (reference 2)
-The evaluation was done by RCMG (Reference 2)
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Researchers/University
- Citizens or community groups
- Marginalized groups: Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)
- Young people and children
Governance
Management set-up
- Led by non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Transnational network
- Researchers/university
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Ness Gardens is a part of the University of Liverpool. A "friends of the garden' community group is closely involved in the initiative. (reference 1). There is an international network of botanic gardens and related institutions,Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) that is initiated the social program 'Engaging Secondary Schools' (reference 2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
(It was a result of the recommendation from the landmark 2010 report 'Towards a New Social Purpose: Redefining the Role of Botanic Gardens'. the project took place between Autumn 2010 and Summer 2011. (reference 2) )
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Unknown
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased support for education and scientific research
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
Yes
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
References
1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. n.d. About the Ness Botanic Gardens. Accessed: Source link
2. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. 2011. Growing the Social Role. Accessed: Source link
3. About My Area. 2017. Ness Gardens Team Celebrates Green Award. Accessed: Source link
4. University of Leicester. n.d. Growing the Social Role of Botanic Gardens. Accessed: Source link
2. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. 2011. Growing the Social Role. Accessed: Source link
3. About My Area. 2017. Ness Gardens Team Celebrates Green Award. Accessed: Source link
4. University of Leicester. n.d. Growing the Social Role of Botanic Gardens. Accessed: Source link