The tool itself is free-to-use and downloadable in a ‘flat pack’ format from the Branching Beyond website and the Resource section of this course. It is inclusive, with low entry-requirements, and does not require that participants have an existing pronounced interest in trees or nature. To minimise the cost of professional facilitation, a step-by-step procedure to follow on the night is provided in the facilitation guide, whilst this course provides preparatory training.

• The tool has been designed and tested for the local authority scale, but can be adapted by users for larger or smaller scales.
• Free maps of local areas, based on Open Street Map data, can be generated via get-map.org/
• The data produced can be reported in ‘summary and quotation’ formats commonly used in public consultation, whilst being suitable for more detailed analysis.

Recruitment of panel, room hire, pre- and post-session engagement is not included, as it is highly variable and dependent upon panel format, user facilities and existing procedures. For example, convening a bespoke and demographically representative research panel requires greater resource than using the tool at an established recurring and self-selecting forum such as a community council meeting.