Using oral histories to promote public participation in wetland conservation

This paper outlines the experiences of using oral histories as a method of promoting knowledge transfer as part of wider strategies to promote wetland conservation and rehabilitation projects. It details their use as part of... [ view full abstract ]

This paper outlines the experiences of using oral histories as a method of promoting knowledge transfer as part of wider strategies to promote wetland conservation and rehabilitation projects. It details their use as part of a recent collaboration with postgraduate students and staff on the work of the Community Wetlands Forum, (CWF), a grouping of over 20 wetlands groups from mainly the Midland counties in Ireland. It was set up in 2013 in response to concerns about ongoing management of wetlands following the EU Peatlands Directive which now prohibits turf cutting in many wetland locations. The Wetlands Community Forum views development of wetlands as best undertaken as a community development venture, with their full involvement. This means that the community must become more engaged with the process, in terms of acquiring greater knowledge of the value of wetlands and how they can be used as a new kind of local resource (instead of turf cutting) which can return benefits to the community and locality. This presentation discusses the process of collecting oral histories from community members living in the catchment area of the CWF, and the ways in which these have contributed to a process of public participation, illustrating that even though changes are taking place they can happen with respect to the traditions of the past.