This presentation reflects on contrasting studies exploring ways of living
alongside nature in Peru and Scotland. The research was carried out as part of
the Horizon Europe-funded project Coevolvers which is co-developing naturebased
solutions (NBS) in seven European regions as well as with two "overseas
cousins" in Peru and Carriacou. The researchers explored how local
communities live alongside forests. In Scotland, the research focused on a
community-owned woodland in rural Aberdeenshire. In Peru the focus was on
the Amazonian rainforest native community of Nueva Alianza de Banõs. The
research involved speaking with members of each community regarding typical
activities in the forests, and perceptions regarding nature connectedness and
stewardship. Ethnographic field observations were also recorded. In both
communities, audio visual outputs were co-produced in the form of Virtual
Nature Tours (VNTs) and digital stories.
In this presentation we draw on the interview and ethnographic data from each
study to explore each community's sense of connection to nature. At first glance
the two communities seem culturally worlds apart. Whereas the native
community in Peru rely entirely upon the rainforest for their survival (through the
collection of forest resources such as food, medicine, timber and other
materials), the Scottish community engage with the woodland largely on a
recreational basis. In the rainforest, each member of the community feels a
deep sense of stewardship for the forest. In Aberdeenshire it is largely members
of the woodland Trust who feel this sense of stewardship. Yet parallels can be
seen - both communities have members who engage on a deeper level -
especially through foraging for food and medicine. In Aberdeenshire, a
governance shift promises to foster stewardship more widely across the
community. We discuss how these seemingly contrasting studies help us to
understand nature connectedness and its role in nature stewardship.