The ecological crisis of our time requires that we take radical action to regenerate and rejuvenate our biosphere.
One of the innovative ideas we are wanting to include is giving the land a voice in all decisions we make.
Elsewhere in the world the experience and knowledge of indigenous peoples helps to shape sustainable natural environments to the benefit of all such as the Whanganui river in New Zealand which has been given the same rights as a human.
In the UK our natural environment has been shaped by centuries of cultural intervention, changing our landscapes to meet the predominant need of our human population. We now know that such landscapes are unsustainable, both to support modern lifestyles and to sustain our natural life support systems. We can all work toward regenerating our land but how can we be sure that any of our interventions will be for the long term benefit of the land and what will be needed to sustain us for generations to come? People will come and go but the land will endure.
At Tregovenek we want to ensure that all our actions will benefit the long term health and vibrancy of the land under our control. To ensure this we will gift the land the right to influence all the decisions that could impact upon this aim. How we embed this within our organisation is our evolving challenge, but we will give voice to the land and will enshrine it within our inclusive ways of working. We will hear ‘The voice of the land’ and respond to her needs.
As things progress with this concept we will post out on the Story. Subscribe if you wish to hear more.
The Voice of the Land (VotL) Definition for Tregovenek, August ‘23
- The land will still be here long after we are gone. We commit to caring for and enriching the land for the generations to come, with the knowledge, compassion and energy available to us.
- We are the current custodians of the land, spiritually and in practice. We respect and honour the place of all living beings on the land.
- The land and all that lives and breathes upon it and under it has a relationship with others beyond its borders. We acknowledge and understand this, and consider the wider implications of our actions accordingly.
- We recognise the reciprocal nature of our relationship with the land. While we do not know and will not know everything about the land, we will seek to listen to what the land has to say, and be there to hear it.
- We will measure the results of our endeavours on the land. This may be through scientific assessment of the diversity of life on the land, but also through the learning that is inspired here, and human interactions with the land.
- The Voice of the Land circle will be open to all and will actively welcome and encourage a multitude of perspectives
- The Voice of the Land circle will consider any proposals brought to it in the light of its potential impacts upon the long term health, viability and diversity of the land
- The Voice of the Land circle will, as much as is possible, offer knowledge and guidance on initiatives that will affect the land.
- Our relationship with the natural world is strengthened through ceremony. The Voice of the Land circle will offer to hold ritual and ceremonial space on the land – for remembrance, honouring and in celebration of our place in the world.
” I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art anyone could ever want” – Andy Warhol