Watchtree Nature Reserve

Social and Economic Impact

Anne Cunnigham describes the main social and economic impacts of Watchtree as follows.

‘There are important positive social impacts relevant to the sensitivity of the place as a burial site and as a memorial place.  The purpose and design of the above ground site addresses personal issues for many local people who had to witness the wholescale destruction of their livestock and many of whom suffered great personal loss. The Nature Reserve that the community has created is an asset to the area and provides a legacy for future generations.  A large number of local people are now involved as Friends of Watchtree and offer their support and interest as volunteers.

‘DEFRA has provided benefits to the local infrastructure and environment, working in partnership with the group.  The massive financial investment in the site will provide opportunities for employment and learning, access to wildlife, and will help with preservation of endangered species.  The site has geographical links with other nature reserves and thus contributes to a wider network of safe wildlife areas in Cumbria. The ongoing management of site will be supported through significant financial investment. The potential for education and learning is huge, and includes the science and technology involved in the underground operations, the centre for talks, meetings, displays, etc, the web-site, all sorts of links with educational establishments, and a great number of planned activities.’

The Watchtree Nature Reserve is an extraordinary achievement. When considered it terms of cash flow and balance sheets this project appears as a fairly typical social enterprise. It is perhaps not so very extraordinary for a social enterprise to hold down a contract to provide services for a Government department. Where this project scores in spades is in its social capital. It represents a unique and transformational moment in this community’s ability to come to terms with and move forward from the trauma of FMD.

Interestingly, DEFRA is in the process of seeking to replicate the ownership and management model at Watchtree at other FMD disposal sites in the UK – in Lockerbie in Scotland, in North Wales, and in County Durham. Early indications are that local people do not wish to adopt similar management arrangements in any of these locations. This is regrettable, particularly considering the potential for knock-on benefits to the community. That said, it can hardly be surprising that local communities have a suspicion of DEFRA given the history of FMD.  It is possible that the involvement of Watchtree Committee members as partners in DEFRA’s endeavours to replicate the idea might have resulted in a different outcome.