Purpose...

To debate the potential of mapping projects to shape/inform the debate on wild land and assist in policy formulation.

What we did...

Working mostly as a group people discussed and prioritised a range of issues relating to mapping initiatives to do with wild land across different categories, as set out below.

Scale

A range of spatial scales can be mapped (from global to local) and local wild areas have local value, but not necessarily global value though there are Local Agenda 21 type arguments that say they are.

Need for good examples

We need a range of good examples of, particularly, regional work and across a range of ecological/geographical contexts (e.g. uplands, coasts, lowlands, woodlands, wetlands, etc.) and that take different viewpoints into account (e.g. farmers, ecologists, recreationalists, etc.). How can we make best use of the Dutch ecological networks example and perhaps mimic this in the UK? Can we map ecosystem function using either a continuum or connectivity approach?

Need for agreement on data and methods

What methods do we use? What data? How do we interpret the data on, say, remoteness, solitude, noise/visibility, tranquility, light pollution, mobile phone reception, etc? How do we disentangle human vs ecological definitions of wild in a mapping context? What are the policy and geographical restrictions and/or opportunities?

Infrastructure and engagement

How do we get the mapping work to make a difference? How do we get the maps into the planning arena? (i.e. can we use mapping to be proactive, rather than just reactive in response to threats such as wind farm proposals in wild lands). Can wild land mapping initiatives be used to stress/explore the multiple benefits model of wild land?

Education

Build support for wild land and values through education (an interactive CD, use of the web, etc.). Can we take a “Jamie Oliver” approach to wild land access by stressing the poor quality of the present to create a demand through examples of good supply.

Three key points:

1. The data and methods are available and can be easily applied but do need guidance from the wider community as to direct (e.g. scale of mapping, context, aims/objectives, etc.)

2. Being able to effectively map wild land and associated values is a great tool in communicating the nature and more importantly the potential of wild land in the UK to a wide audience from school kids to politicians.

3. Mapping can be best used proactively to identify target areas and opportunities for wild land projects, and reactively to defend against inappropriate developments and policy.

Actions/next steps:

• Next steps include developing and publicising wild land mapping projects. These include:

• Developing a GIS database of all wild land and re-wilding projects in the UK.

• Developing an agreed set of UK maps of existing wild land quality that can be used to promote wild land and target areas for wild land projects.

• Making mapping available to all as a promotional/educational tool.

Present:

Simon Bates, facilitator, Geoff Cartwright, Steve Carver, Robert Macfarlane, Helen Shaw, Adrian Yallop