History of the CMS
Back in the early 1970s conflict was mounting between urban communities and rural landowners. Oil prices were rising rapidly, countryside was being lost to development, and agricultural practices were changing. Whilst the Green Belt had been largely successful in controlling development, issues such as recreation and landscape conservation were falling by the wayside.
The Countryside Commission, supported by local authorities, sponsored two large projects in London’s urban fringe, one in Essex and another in Hertfordshire. Under the leadership of Peter Lawrence, a charismatic ex-Army captain, the Greenbelt Management Experiment set about persuading people in Hertfordshire to develop practical solutions to this conflict. The budget was small but soon volunteers were recruited to support our work. The success of the work was recognised as its methods were applied elsewhere until in 1989 the CMS achieved County-wide coverage with seven area teams.
The role of the Projects Officer has changed significantly in more recent times from being ‘doers’ to being ‘enablers’. Where once we might have spent weeks in a woodland with our chainsaws we are now more likely to be seen supporting a local community group or managing a contract to get the work done.
Today, the CMS continues to work with local authorities, voluntary organisations and landowners to bring about improvements to the Hertfordshire landscape, wildlife habitats and public access.