I was part of a group of MA Regenerative Design affiliated researchers, engaged in a "Where Land and Water Meet", a research project focused on biodiversity restoration approaches. As a team, we travelled to the Kilchoan Melfort Trust in Argyll and Bute, on the west coast of Scotland. We each developed research methods and responses, designed to bring ecologists and designers together to activate place-based biodiversity restoration, research, and collaboration.

Throughout our time in Scotland, the subject of data came up in several conversations with those working in biodiversity restoration. The issue emerged of how ecological data is often compiled into reports and isn’t engaged with in meaningful ways. I saw this as an opportunity and a point of entry for collaboration between designers and ecologists.

When thinking about commonalities between design and ecology work, I was drawn to the ways I’ve seen Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data built into sustainable product design processes. Using that thinking as a structure, I have proposed a framework that swaps product system baselines for ecological assessment baselines. The proposed framework contains loosely defined steps and roles, remaining broad enough that it could be applied to a range of contexts and adapted to the needs of species, people and place.

There are three areas of interest I have defined as ways design could interact with data to tangibly contribute to biodiversity restoration. These areas are:
1. Collecting data,
2. Acting on Insights
3. Communicating Opportunities.

They demonstrate how design can engage with biodiversity restoration, from creating citizen science tools for data collection, to valorising co-products and residues, and sharing information in novel and engaging ways.

The project "Where Land and Water Meet" was supported by the LVMH Maison/0 Challenge Fund, which aims to develop creative collaborations through student and graduate-led engagement.

More information can be found here: https://csmregenerativedesign.com/page-20-ecosystem-alliance