Community Resilience Forums

We’re looking forward to inviting you to our new Community Resilience Forum this spring and summer in Totnes, looking at three topics;

·      Land Use: who owns Totnes? – the first workshop on April 27th will look at land rights and will involve understanding the context of legal ownership of land, which is particularly topical in Totnes at present. Our speakers are Frances Northrup and the team behind The Phoenix/Transition Town Lewes. Participants are guided through a map showing who owns Totnes, exploring points of interest across the town, noticing common themes and opening discussion and debate on how resilience can be increased. The discussion of land use is growing more present, and is particularly topical in Totnes. From the Atmos project to Dartmoor and the Right to Roam campaign, and the growing campaign for our local river (Friends of the Dart),  the discussion of land rights is as relevant as ever. Click here to book tickets.

·      Nature Recovery: can Totnes be wild? – taking place on June 22nd, the second workshop will explore biodiversity collapse and nature recovery (through regenerative practices, rewilding, etc.). We will discuss the practicalities and opportunities of nature recovery in the UK, with practitioners and experts on the subject. This is the exciting edge of work in Totnes which we want to bring to the forefront of local awareness. This ties into our emerging 'The Great Local Rewild' project, as part of our wider aim in TTT to survey how we can meet international targets of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030, and generate interest in progressing this discussion. Click here to book tickets.

·      Just Transition: are we leaving people behind? - the final workshop on July 13th will explore the meanings of a Just Transition through real-life examples. We will discuss the barriers of a Just Transition and this is an opportunity for participants to voice any personal concerns they have about the social changes that are encouraged in climate action plans, such as energy transitions away from fossil fuels, and the privilege it takes to be a part of it. Together with representatives from the City of Bristol Just Transition Declaration, endorsed by Bristol council, it will explore what this future can look like, learn what actions it takes to get there and discover how we need to be considering a Just Transition and the benefits it can bring to our community. Click here to book tickets.

Each session will last two hours and include leaders in their field, including local projects and academics, who will invite discussion and debate on these pressing issues of our time. 

Organiser and local activist, Viktoria Erlacher-Downing, is currently completing a PhD in social justice, mental health and climate change. Having previously worked with Transition Town Totnes on a local food map, Viktoria is looking forward to bringing her experience of hosting resilience forums to the town.

She says; “I am passionate about creating accessible spaces where locals, practitioners, activists and experts can come together to learn about and start to tackle threats to our resilience. The themes we will explore in the Community Resilience Forums are pivotal for humans and nature alike and now is the time for people from all different backgrounds to come together and create a positive future.”

It’s with huge thanks to Transition Together, which supports the UK network of Transition Towns, for making these forums possible through their seed funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. Dates and speakers will be announced shortly, so please keep an eye on our website and social media. We hope to see you there.