A critical reflection of the development of biocultural heritage conservation and community based projects: a case study of Goonhilly Downs.
Jake Riding
conservation is the idea that “if conservation and development could be simultaneously achieved, the interests of both could be served” (Murphree 2002:1). Thus over more recent decades, the old narrative of ‘fortress conservation’ has been largely displaced by the counter-narrative of, “...development through community conservation and sustainable use” (Murphree 2002:2). Biocultural heritage relates in part to many practices that form part of a community heritage such as performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, oral traditions and knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe. Organisations are still working to continuously develop a “...clearly established nexus between cultural diversity and biological diversity.” Based on the length of time the emergence of community-based conservation has been going on for, it appears that the definition is still under scrutiny (Bridgewater and Rotheram 2019). Given the rich cultural heritage of Cornwall, it is one of few places that still remains within the UK where communities still thrive and continue to have a greater sense of belonging. Goonhilly Downs created a community-based conservation project to not only preserve the nature reserve for future generations but increase community engagement with the local landscape in a sensitive way. Chapter 3 will now focus on the Goonhilly Village Green Project which was a community-based conservation project.
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