Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust explains what it means to her being a member of the GDF Community Partnership.
Born and raised on the Lincolnshire coast, Tammy has experience of working in farming, tourism, and conservation, having worked for national government, local authority, the private sector and now the voluntary/charity sector.
She is a specialist in farming, water and coastal marine environments, with additional experience in coastal geomorphology and geology. All her technical expertise is highly relevant to the GDF process, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Community Partnership.
We had a chat with Tammy and asked her a few questions.
What made you apply to be a member of the Community Partnership?
From a professional point of view, I want to see first-hand the evidence and science that will come out of the planning process. Word of mouth and Chinese whispers will be rife, and I want us to be factually correct – that’s the scientist in me.
People are going to be very emotive about it and I can’t be emotive, I must be rational and clear as to why I’m here and be able to explain that in a way to people who are highly emotive. I’m not for and I’m not against. I just want to be informed in my decision, and I want to be informed in a way that I can then share that information, so other people can make rational choices.
From a personal point of view, I was born on the Lincolnshire coast, and I want the best for Lincolnshire, and that is both the people and the wildlife. I want to see any development use nature-based solutions and address the community and wildlife issues, because they are mutual.
A GDF is required in this country, whichever way you look at it for the historic waste. Is Lincolnshire the best place? That’s why I’m on this group – I don’t know the answer to that, but I will be honest about it, as the information flows through.
What do you think you can bring to the Partnership?
I’m good at taking a complicated set of situations, science and evidence and communicating it in a way that makes it accessible and that’s what I see my major role being here.
My brain can process things scientifically and consider political and emotional attachments and communicate it to as many people as possible, who are willing to have their ears open. Some people will just have them closed and you have to say, well here it is, if you don’t want to hear this, that’s your choice, but I’ve done my bit. I’ve provided you with the information.
What are you looking forward to doing as a member?
There’s funding on offer and I would like to see it spent in the right way to deliver maximum outcomes for the community. One million pounds isn’t a lot – and I want to see that money matched against other opportunities, so we really start to address biodiversity and climate crisis, but also the socio-economic issues in the area. It has the potential to be a catalyst for change if we innovate and maximise it through matching other opportunities.
We’ve just done some visioning work in different areas of Greater Lincolnshire and it’s great if you facilitate it well to get those juices flowing and challenge people to think beyond the immediate and think of the generations to come.
What would you say to anyone thinking of applying?
If you want to influence what happens in the future in a proactive and effective way, the best way to do that is to be involved and informed, no matter if you’re pro or against. Nobody should be getting personal or rude, this is an opportunity to influence what happens over a very long period.
It’s about, being informed and being proactive in trying to influence that process and the only way to do that is through great engagement, be it on the Community Partnership or whatever else comes out of that, and this is their chance from the earliest point. So why would you not want to be, no matter what your view is, part of that journey?
We are currently recruiting people to the Community Partnership, so if you would like to join Tammy and other members in working together through this process, then please look at the information on membership and apply online. Join Us – Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership (workinginpartnership.org.uk)
As Tammy said, you don’t need to be pro GDF and no matter what your views, this is your opportunity to be involved and informed, and proactively influence what happens.