Bringing People Together through Nature 

Themes

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Health and Wellbeing

Community Engagement

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) plays a critical role in the conservation of UK birds by conducting scientific research and nature-based activities. Based in Thetford, BTO has over 16,000 members and 50,000 active volunteers. 

Spending time in nature is good for both our physical and mental well-being. However, some lack the opportunity or feel uncomfortable being outdoors, often due to various socio-economic and cultural factors.

Recognising these challenges, BTO aims to co-create more opportunities for people to come together and better connect with nature. Their project, Bringing People Together through Nature, will explore and provide evidence on how this can be achieved in and around Thetford, Norfolk. The project is an initiative towards BTO’s commitment to inclusion in their 2023-30 Strategy.

The Project Brief

Process

Stakeholder consultations

Monitoring and Evaluation

BTO has commissioned us to improve their understanding of: 

  1. the barriers people face accessing nature;

  2. what local organisations are trying to achieve; and, 

  3. how BTO’s new partnerships and collaborations can support local initiatives. 

Based on these findings, BTO will develop and implement nature-based activities with local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations.

Our Approach

CSC will use a strengths-led and collaborative approach to identify ‘win-win’ solutions between BTO’s activities and what local groups would like. These activities will be developed and piloted with four local community groups. 

We will be working with and collecting insights from a specially convened Steering Group, community members, and local organisations interested in partnering with BTO on these activities.

Impact

The project has two primary objectives: 

1. To increase inclusion and the diversity of people involved in nature with BTO; and

2. To leverage BTO’s assets to support the VCS in its efforts to increase people’s health and wellbeing locally, whilst better connecting communities with nature. 

The project is due to be completed in September 2024.