We work at the interface between agriculture and ecology
Our Vision
Collaborations working on Living Landscapes
When we speak about ‘collaborations’ we mean working together to solve common challenges and co-creating solutions based on mutual understanding, trust and respect.
The power of ‘working on’ a living landscape is that by being based on a landscape, you have your feet planted in the reality on the ground.
‘Living Landscapes’ refers to a variety of agricultural, ecological and social systems, which are managed sustainably.
Our Principles
Guiding principles help us align our vision to maintain a consistent approach across all landscapes.
The following principles are integral to how we operate:
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We believe that in order to create collective action, you need to build strong relationships and social capital.
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Our work is dynamic and based on continuous learning.
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We endeavor to not impose preconceived ideas but to listen carefully to understand the reality and nuances of the landscapes on which we work.
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We value an informal yet professional approach.
The Living Landscape Approach
Our work is a 'work in progress' and our approach is one we’ve nurtured over many years.
It combines 'bottom-based' processes (i.e. on the landscape) and 'top-guided' (i.e. research, policy and global context) processes to facilitate shared learning and collective action. This approach integrates the building blocks of Theory U (developed by the Presencing Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)) and the 4 Returns framework by Commonland.
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Landscape Roles
Each individual at Living Lands engages in one or more of the following actions on the landscape:
Landscape Mobilisation
Forming relationships and developing networks as a basis to work together.
Landscape Facilitation
Creating a enabling environment for collaboration with partners.
Knowledge Brokering
Improving the knowledge base for rehabilitation by connecting research, and creating a feedback loop to close the knowing-doing gap.
Business Development
Enabling long-term financial and ecological sustainability through the development of 4 Returns business cases and financial sustainability.