Making Land Work:current practice in

community management of land

Mark Walton December 2013

Shared Assets

We help landowners and community enterprises work together to transform under managed land into productive community spaces.

We support community management of woodlands, waterways, green spaces and coastal areas.

Ownership & commons

Case studies in collaboration• Broadclyst Community Farm

(National Trust)

• Chiltern Rangers(Wycombe District Council)

• East Reservoir Community Garden(Thames Water)

• Neroche Woodlanders(Forestry Commission / The Crown Estate)

What are the benefits?• Landowner– Improved public engagement, access and use– Specialist skills and diverse activities– Reduced or neutral cost

• Enterprise– Access to land and skills of a larger partner

• Community– Economic and social benefits

• Environment– Better, lower impact management– Profits return to the site

What makes it work?• Negotiated management agreement– Clear rights, responsibilities and expectations

• Realistic expectations– Understanding of each others needs, constraints and ambitions

• Skills and attributes– Negotiation and project management– Communication– Business and technical skills– Flexibility, perseverance and resilience

• Clear internal policies– Not a commercial disposal or contract

Ostrom’s principles

• Clearly defined boundaries • Rules adapted to local conditions• Those using the resource participate in decision-making• Effective monitoring by accountable monitors• Sanctions for those who violate community rules• Cheap and easy to access conflict resolution• Community self determination is recognised by

higher-level authorities

Contested spaces

Creativity and the Cut