From the air we breathe, the water we drink and the price of our weekly food shop, the choices we make in how we use land – whether it is farmed, forested or managed for nature – will have repercussions for the economy as well as our health and wellbeing. Our management of the countryside will also have a direct impact on all aspects of the environment, including climate change, nature and risks of natural hazards like flooding, droughts or wildfires.
The dialogue highlights the public's trust in scientists when it comes to environmental matters. It also demonstrates the value to policymakers and land managers in deliberative dialogue with well-informed citizens, to help make equitable decisions for all the different individuals and groups who have a stake in the UK's landscapes.
The findings will contribute towards the Society's Multifunctional landscapes report.