LNRs - Places for People and Nature

Getting Involved

The parties involved in identifying, evaluating, declaring and managing the LNR may form a group to help steer the process, which is often termed the Local Management Group (LMG). A LMG could typically be composed of representatives of the local authority, the local community, and potential users of the LNR which may include environmental or other local interest groups.

LMGs tend to be established and serviced by the local authority. Key among the activities that groups get involved in are, establishing the purpose and management objectives for the LNR at least in outline prior to declaration; and the preparation and monitoring of the LNR management plan. A LMG can also have an important role in the active management or day to day running of a LNR. For example, local representatives may be able to provide a formal or informal method of policing for litter, vandalism and other anti-social activities.

Where an LNR has close links with schools, it may be worth considering setting up a Junior Management Sub-group made up of young people elected by their schools. This has the potential to ensure that their needs and ideas are fed into the management structures of the reserve.

If you want to get more involved then search for your nearest LNR in the search facility above for local contact details. However, please contact us, for more technical information on:

• how to set up groups,
• getting effective involvement,
• how to sustain interest,
• experience of other LMG in Scotland,
• how to write a management plan