King of the Meadows

‘King of the Meadows’ is a fast growing movement driven by concerned citizens, farmers, musicians, artists, teachers, managers, scientists, nature conservationists and dairy producers; a network of committed people, that works together on a transnational commons based governemance system of landscape.

It emphasisez the link between biological and cultural diversity through protection of birds in farmers lands in and between Africa and Europe.

Commons & Collectives. source

Over the past few decades, one of the most characteristic Dutch meadowbirds has begun to disappear. Almost 95% of the one million hectares of meadowlands in The Netherlands have been changed into intensively managed agricultural lands, with tremendous negative consequences for the plant and animal species, as well as for our identity, language and culture.

A loss of biodiversity is loss of cultural diversity.

One symbol of this unwanted change is the Black-tailed Godwit, a typical Dutch bird that depends on the meadows for the majority of its breeding habitat. In the intensively managed agricultural meadows, many godwit chicks are unable to feed themselves or find shelter from predators. The frequent mowing of these meadows only compounds the problem. As a result, the godwit population breeding in The Netherlands has declined by 75% since 1960. The bird is threatened by extinction.

xxxxx

# Where?

POST http://image-transporter.apps.allmende.io/image

# When did it start?

In 2012, after decades during which governments, nature conservationists and farmers have been wondering how to make sure economic, ecological and social interests cooperate on farmers land. Without succes, partly due to never ending contradictions and partly due to bureaucracy. That’s why King of the Meadows is a citizens’ initiative. A"We are independent and we don’t choose sides. All we want to do is reconnect people and landscape."

# Interesting concept and tools: King of the Meadows cooperates with top scientists in the field of biodiversity and artists. They created - a citizen-jury, html - a fantastic meadow bird symphony and a - Living Lab where nature-inclusive farming is developed. Their projects: html

The Living Lab source

xxxxx

Our aim is a future in which economically viable farming goes hand in hand with nature, biodiversity and happy people.

There is a Commons & Collectives programm, since the beginning of 2016, where "agricultural nature management" is done by collectives to reduce costs and bureaucracy and invest more in nature conservancy. The project was set up because farmers, water boards, nature conservationists and provinces have always worked together. but normal citizen are usually not involved. The Commons & Collectives program asks: What can common people do to help nature and landscape management? Are farmers willing to accept their assistance? Can local governments give room to cooperative initiatives in rural areas. Is it possible to develop an effective method for civic participation on farmland?

# Nature-inclusive Agriculture

This is the main focus of the King of the Meadows. The aim is to develop a new approach to farming which offers a future to everybody, everywhere. At the heart of this effort is our Living Lab, which consists of a number of coalitions to develop new models of revenue, create innovative ways to apply scientific knowledge, and explore the use of local products. See more >

add a quote

Beat the Bounds of Capitalocentrism: ADD TEXT HERE

Emulate & Then Federate: ADD TEXT HERE

others

# Additional Information

# See also

add your text each source a new line

# Sources

Website html