Working alongside partners British Association of Landscape Industries, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Locri, Natural England, Natural Resource Wales, NatureScot, and the Northern Ireland Department for Communities, this pivotal project will produce a rich and informative evidence base, covering the landscape industry (and its neighbouring professions) across the UK, in both the public and private sectors.
“In order to achieve our common aims including but not limited to, nature recovery and creating climate resilient landscapes, we need evidence. By understanding the landscape sector, how we can work collaboratively and what landscape resources, expertise and research is available, we can fill these evidence gaps.”
Chris Bolton, Principal Specialist for Landscape – Natural England (Project Partner)
Back in 2018 the LI ran the State of Landscape research project, a sector survey that showed a profession in flux. Skills shortages across the sector, as well as changes in practice as a result of climate change, the housing crisis, Brexit, etc. demonstrated huge challenges, as well as opportunities to be seized for the next generation of landscape professionals.
The Landscape Institute’s CEO, Sue Morgan says “The insight we’ll gain from this important piece of work will enable us to take an informed, strategic approach as a sector and we need to work collaboratively to fully understand and address the national skills deficit faced by our workforce. Nature-based solutions are desperately needed to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies and this work will help us get the right skills in the right places”.
“Whether it’s understanding skills shortages, diversity issues, changing areas of practice, the public sector workforce, or other market failures which hold back the landscape industry, we want to provide a knowledge base that will help us produce a resource to support decision-making in the wider sector, and to make a case for renewed focus on landscape by national policymakers.“
Wayne Grills, CEO – British Association of Landscape Industries (Project partner)
NatureScot’s Landscape and Greenspace Manager, Laura Campbell said “We’re pleased to be supporting the Landscape Institute’s survey, which will help us find out more about the landscape skills we’ll need to tackle the nature loss, climate change and health crises. It will also inform how we and other agencies can meet the challenges ahead and scale up our efforts to protect, restore and value nature.”
As the sector continues to grow, adapt and face new challenges, we need to bring our evidence up-to-date and understand how the industry has changed over time.
“This work will create an incredibly useful resource for the whole profession, providing guidance and frameworks for both employers and employees. We work with both to help them understand if their offer is right and fair and a strong evidence base is integral to this.”
Carl Madden-Thomas, Director – Locri (Project Partner)
This year’s survey aims to be bigger and better than before. Working alongside a valuable range of partners on the project helps us to create a piece of research that we hope will inform much of the work we do as individuals and collaboratively.
In order to do this, we’ll need your help. Whatever your profession, if you’re a part of the landscape sector we want to hear from you.
– ENDS –
Editor’s notes
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Pickford
Marketing Manager, Landscape Institute
lucy.pickford@landscapeinstitute.org
+44 330 808 2230 (ext. 036)
About the Landscape Institute
The Landscape Institute (LI) is the chartered body for the landscape profession. It is the professional home for all landscape practitioners, including landscape architects, landscape and parks managers, landscape planners, and urban designers. It is an educational charity that promotes the art and science of landscape practice. The LI’s aim, through the work of its members is to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit.
About the British Association of Landscape Industries
Established in 1972 the British Association of Landscape Industries promotes, supports and inspires over 900 Accredited members including landscape contractors, landscape architects, garden designers and suppliers to be leaders of an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape services industry.
With over 1,800 members in total, including qualified training providers and students studying horticulture and landscape related qualifications, our professionals carry out a variety of landscaping works including garden design, landscape construction and grounds maintenance, as well as interior installation, maintenance and the supply of quality landscaping materials. All Association Accredited members have been vetted to ensure the highest standards of workmanship, skill and health & safety practices to give you total peace of mind when selecting your landscaping professional.
https://www.bali.org.uk/home/
Northern Ireland Department for Communities
The Department for Communities (DfC) is the largest government Department in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). We are supported in delivering our services by a number of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) and a number of stakeholder groups.
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/
Natural Resource Wales
Natural Resources Wales is the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body – employing 1,900 staff across Wales with a budget of £180 million. We were formed in April 2013, largely taking over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Environment Agency in Wales, as well as certain Welsh Government functions.
https://naturalresources.wales/splash?orig=%2f&lang=cy
Locri
Locri was conceived as a vehicle to solve both problems by challenging conventional recruitment practice, which often seems at odds with the interests of candidates and firms.
The Locri model is based on specialist independent consultants with in-depth professional experience operating as associates. Unlike the typical agency, they develop long-term relationships aimed at understanding and fulfilling client objectives and guiding and advising the careers of candidates—helping both to achieve their aims and potential.
For consultants the Locri model is a refreshing change. Instead of flogging away at a numbers game, it rewards investment in relationships. Everyone acts independently but does so within a collective support wrapper—there is extra incentive to help each other and leverage the skills and connections of the wider group.
locri.co.uk
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland was created in October 2015. We build upon the work of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
We are the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment.
We lead and enable Scotland’s first historic environment strategy Our Place in Time, which sets out how our historic environment will be managed. It ensures our historic environment is cared for, valued and enhanced, both now and for future generations.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/
NatureScot
We are Scotland’s nature agency. We work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it.
So that all nature in Scotland – our key habitats and landscapes, all our green space and our native species – is maintained, enhanced and brings us benefits.
It is the job of all of us to achieve a balance in the sensitive management of our natural world in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity.
Natural England
We’re the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. We help to protect and restore our natural world.
Natural England is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
We were established by an Act of Parliament in 2006. Our purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
Historic England
We are the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops.
We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them.
Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.
