• Environment
• Society

CUC Technical Final report

The project took an innovative approach to education by blending farmers' deep, personal connection to the uplands (heart) with expert knowledge. This collaboration helped both groups better understand the area's natural and cultural heritage. The project fostered a shared responsibility for protecting and preserving the land by involving the broader rural community. This collective ownership lays a strong foundation for future positive outcomes. Several proven innovations were introduced during the project: i) Discussion Groups encouraged shared learning; ii) The uplands served as classrooms, where participants learned by doing; iii) Learning integrated the influences of geology, climate, nature, and human activity; iv) The project avoided a narrow focus, instead considering the whole system; v) Community engagement was a key element. Farmers documented their memories of growing up and working on the uplands and their current flock management practices. A significant outcome was farmers' strong connection to the land, passed down through generations (heart). Many expressed a sense of loss as the tradition of families working together to manage sheep flocks fades. Farmers also shared their knowledge of the upland's shapes, place names, streams, lakes, and monuments with experts. This exchange led to a vibrant learning experience. For example, experts explained how geology shaped the landscape, added new place names to the map, and helped distinguish between archaeological and natural features. Discussions on improving habitats created another shared learning moment, where farmers better understood how their flock management affects habitats while ecologists learned about the practical challenges farmers face (minds). Involving the community fostered a sense of pride in the land, strengthening the foundation for achieving long-term benefits for everyone involved.