Luke Penny

About

Climate change and nature collapse are two interconnected problems which are already impacting our day to day lives and the lives of other species. Although there is broad support for action in these spaces, action often faces opposition and topples where it does not take account of local issues, does not integrate with other problems people face, or feels unfair or unmeaningful in some way. 

What we are facing is less a technical problem, but more one of how we relate to our fellow humans and the natural world. One of building collective action which improves our lives and aligns with place and natural processes. 

I work to build meaningful relationships between individuals, communities, organisations and place, and involve people in decisions, design and actions which affect their lives. I support and research forms of collaborative, collective, local or community work, action and policy on climate and more congruent and integrated relationships with nature. 

Get in touch via email – luke[@]lukepenny[dot]com – with ideas, problems, queries or thoughts. I will signpost you if I cannot help.

Based in Caerdydd, Cymru – Cardiff, Wales.

Examples of my work

North Cardiff Woodlands participatory restoration, January 2021 – work is on-going Using coproduction to create spaces where humans and nature thrive together. A collaborative project working with recreationalists, ecologists and land managers in the restoration, design and management of highly used and protected woodlands. I have been working with land managers Natural Resources Wales, Cardiff Council and The Wildlife Trusts to reframe the role of recreation in the woods, particularly mountain biking, and have facilitated the collaborative development of strategy and governance to enable participatory restoration and management. Restoring habitat, alongside improved trails, co-designed by those who use them. A key part of my work has been to build working relationships and bridges between recreationalists and land managers, a complex space due to the historically negative impact of intense recreation on nature in the area. Early in the project, I worked closely with Shared Assets, learning about user experience and making recommendations for next steps and project governance. Additionally, I have provided project coordination, fundraising and bid writing, facilitation and research.

Carbon Literacy Cartrefi Cymru (CLCC) coordinator, April 2020 – May 2022 CLCC was a consortium of 29 social housing providers across Wales who pooled money and resource into developing shared Carbon Literacy training materials and training skills. Employees trained each other peer to peer, to understand and act on climate change. CLCC trained 140 trainers, who went on to deliver Carbon Literacy to 598 people across Wales. I developed and coordinated the project as an associate of Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales. Roles included, project development, project coordination and fundraising. I also facilitated a community of practice for trainers.

Blaenau Gwent Climate Assembly, July 2020 – April 2021 The Blaenau Gwent Climate Assembly brought together 50 local residents to learn, deliberate and vote on recommendations for local climate action. It was the first climate assembly in Wales. Project partners include Cynnal Cymru, Electoral Reform Society Cymru, Mutual Gain, Sortition Foundation and Blaenau Gwent CBC and Public Service Board. Roles included, project development, bid writing, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and report writing. 

Courses, awards, etc.

I have received facilitation training and guidance from Academi Wales, Involve, Mutual Gain and the UCL Climate Action Unit. 

I have completed Climate Change Coaches’ Climate Change Coaching Mastery course.

I am part of Cohort 2040, an initiative to support emerging leaders in navigating the polycrisis. Cohort 2040 was developed by Laurie Laybourn, IPPR and UCL Climate Action Unit. The project develops skills and tools leaders will need in the face of the multiple and compounding crisis’ we face. Cohort 2040 has been a part of the development of the Strategic Climate Risk Initiative.   

I hold a Master in Earth Science – Earth and Environmental Science from Cardiff University. After graduating, I worked on a research placement, coauthoring a paper on eco-evolutionary dynamics of Pulleniatina published in PLOS One. I received two awards during my degree, The Robert Kidd Prize for best performance on the degree, and The Forestry Commission Prize for best performance in geoecology.

Dwi’n dysgu Cymraeg. Croeso i chi ebostio fi yn y Gymraeg.

Testimonials

“The Beech Woodlands to the North of Cardiff are designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Located next to a major city, these sites are being impacted by recreational activity. Luke provided the North Cardiff Woodlands Project with a fresh set of eyes, his ability to think differently and his work engaging with the stakeholders of these woodlands was core to shaping our understanding of how much people value these special places. Working alongside the land managers in the area, he was able to animate key communities, identifying sustainable ways for people to access nature and improve their health.”

Liz Felton, Environment Team Leader, Natural Resources Wales

“Luke played a key role in the development and implementation of the hugely successful Carbon Literacy Cartrefi Cymru consortium in Wales; he demonstrated excellent communication and project management skills, and brought expertise and enthusiasm to the partnership. Luke is openminded, flexible and genuinely thrives on collaborative working and building strong working relationships. It was a pleasure to work with him and we wouldn’t hesitate to do so again in the future.”

Clare Sain-ley-Berry, Deputy Chief Executive, Cynnal Cymru

Contact

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Drawings by Morgan Owain Edwards

Dwi yn y broses o gyfieithu fy ngwefan… Diolch am eich amynedd.