The Future of the National Forest Gardening Scheme: Next steps
We have made great strides over the last few years, bringing forest gardening to many many people. It no longer feels like a niche activity, which is a great success! However, our small group of directors is finding it increasingly challenging to meet the administration needs of an independent National Forest Gardening Scheme e.g. running the website, sorting out the accounts etc. Earlier this year we dissolved the Community Interest Company and closed the bank account. The small amount of funds were given to the Permaculture Association, in line with our Articles of Association. We would like to be able to move forwards, and feel we need a fresh start to be able to focus on delivering the objectives of the NFGS.
To promote and advance Forest Gardening in the UK and beyond
To inspire communities with a fresh approach to growing and eating
To protect and enhance accessible green space
To do this in a way that improves soil health, uses resources responsibly and efficiently, and increases biodiversity.
To explore the impact of forest gardens, and how they are gardened, on well-being
To explore the potential of these spaces as outdoor classrooms
To provide a model for community action that advances Sustainable Development Goals
To contribute to wider debates around practices that support greater food sovereignty
With this in mind we have been looking for an umbrella organisation that aligns with our objectives, which could support us with their infrastructure. An organisation where the NFGS could sit as a work stream.
This year the Permaculture Association is focusing on Forest Gardening and we have tentatively approached them to explore the possibility of an 18 month trial period as one of their work streams. We would aim to retain loomio, our facebook page, and the content of the website. We would also envisage being able to continue with our story harvesting project which has been our focus for this year.
Before we take this work forwards we would appreciate the input of you, our members. We would welcome your feedback and comments on the proposal and also any alternative suggestions. Please post here.
We will also be having an open discussion meeting on zoom at 8pm for an hour on Monday 20th September. The link will be posted here.
Tomas Remiarz Wed 26 Jul 2023 10:45AM
Hi Jane,
I know that the Pc Association are currently redoing their website. This would be a good moment to approach them about integrating some of the valuable enduring NFGS material into that site. Let me know if you wnat help with discussing this and I'd be happy to get involved with the process.
Richard Urbanski Wed 26 Jul 2023 3:51PM
@Jane Lesley MorrisThanks Jane, I'm free 31st July and probably late afternoon/eve 1st Aug to meet up via Zoom to discuss developing the site. I have family commitments and will be away on the 2nd & 3rd. Please drop me a line with a Zoom link or suggested times and contacts or I can mail you directly with a meeting Link. We can look at closer integration with the PA site and I'm happy to offer instruction/training with existing NFGS site admins if needed. Also happy to chat before the 31st if that's convenient.
Jane Lesley Morris Tue 25 Jul 2023 9:06PM
Dear Richard
I am sorry you have been unwell & really appreciate your response, thank you It is sad that you don’t feel you can take on the full responsibility for managing the NFGS site, but it would be great if you can help with updating and perhaps show one/more of us how to do some more!
I will respond more fully by email (I found your address from follow up to 2019 NFGS AGM in Manchester). I hope you talk with Nickie/us soon & that we find a way forward for saving the site & developing the stories.
Very best wishes to you & your associates in Applewood and Cultural Emergence
Nickie Bartlett / Jakeman Sat 22 Jul 2023 12:20PM
@Richard Urbanski This is great news. Do you have anytime available for a chat the evenings of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of August?
Richard Urbanski Thu 20 Jul 2023 5:20PM
Hi,
I’m responding to Jane’s post on Loomio regarding help with the NFGS website. I’ve been a bit of a low profile member of NFGS over the past few years and unable to participate fully because of illness. I do run a few websites for Permaculture projects (Applewood Permaculture & Cultural Emergence sites) and have a background in film production but decided to stop most of my voluntary work, spending my limited time & energy on my present commitments. Sadly, I don’t feel I can take on full responsibility of managing the NFGS site but it would be good to have a chat to see if I can help in any way as part of a comms team. I’m particularly interested in the stories initiative and would dearly like to see the site continue and develop as a valuable resource. It feels the site can be continues as a low maintenance one in its present setup if domain management & hosting is provided at low cost and perhaps keep it independent but connected to the Permaculture Association. I’d be happy to have a chat with you explore possibilities, if that would help.
Best regards,
Richard
Jane Lesley Morris Wed 19 Jul 2023 9:16PM
We few who aim to retain the National Forest Gardening Scheme are busy folk with little spare energy currently no technical skills. HELP is needed!
The Scheme's greatest work is in the content of the website National Forest Gardening Scheme but we are not able to maintain it without (a) volunteer(s). Could you remove unnecessary history, update the site and add for example the newest Forest Garden stories or new learning from community forest gardening?
Also website will need donations of £42 for its continuation for another year by mid August, very SOON!
If we can't maintain the website, we may transfer the information to (an)other organisation(s) for example into the PAB website. NFGS funds went to PAB - here is part of their website What is a forest garden? | Permaculture Association
Nickie Bartlett / Jakeman Mon 14 Nov 2022 6:21PM
Minutes from open meeting attached
Nickie Bartlett / Jakeman Tue 1 Nov 2022 1:30PM
Thank you to all those who joined us for our open meeting. We reached consensus that we will pursue a trial of joint membership with the Permaculture Association. (The minutes will be posted here in due course)
With that in mind, we will be holding an open strategy meeting Nov 16th 1900-2030 via zoom. The link will be posted on Loomio nearer the time.
Nickie Bartlett / Jakeman Sat 8 Oct 2022 10:13AM
Zoom link for open meeting on Wednesday 12th October 7-8pm
Nickie is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: National Forest gardening Scheme Open Meeting
Time: Oct 12, 2022 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84903677059?pwd=SXpFdFQ3TnNJRmNOaTNReEQ0dGZPZz09
Meeting ID: 849 0367 7059
Passcode: 783999
Jane Lesley Morris · Mon 31 Jul 2023 3:10PM
Thanks Tomas,
I hope to speak with Richard today & Nickie will talk with him about such matters tomorrow. I have started checking which links work in the parts of most interest to me, including the work we did on Principles of Forest Gardening for public and community spaces. The links to the PAB site there still work, ie www.permaculture.org.uk/research/forest-garden-research
knowledgebase.permaculture.org.uk/practical-solutions/forest-gardens
At the time we finalised that work, some colleagues were concerned that we keep connections with all such allied approaches, but I am not sure if that Land Trust used these principles now promoted by Agroecology Europe:
Agroecology Land Trust www.agroecology.co.uk/agroecology-principles DID NOT WORK but
Agroecology Europe https://www.agroecology-europe.org/our-approach/principles/ Does.