The Wildland Network

		THE WILDLAND NETWORK - PAST EVENTS of 2006
Past Events in 2006 Oostvardersplassen (8-12 May WN) Elmley Marshes (20 May BANC, WN) Wildland in Wales (7/8 April WN) Tir Gwyllt yng Nghymru (7fed ac 8fed Ebrill) Past Events in 2006 of other organisations Bringing back the Beaver (5 and 6 May) The Journey for the Wild - John Muir Trust (Summer 2006) British Big Cat Conference (24-26 March) Zoological Society London International workshop - Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (30 March-1 April)		These are the Wildland Network events, and the events of other organisations, that have already taken place in 2006. Links are given reports of these meetings where they exist.
		Visit to the Oostvaardersplassen, The Netherlands (8-12 May 2006) New Nature in the Netherlands NB - A NOW FULLY BOOKED Modern agricultural practices and human land use throughout Western Europe have radically altered the prospects of free nature. All to often they have led to a restriction of nature in isolated pockets with little possibility of linkage. In Holland it has been recognised that the creation of healthy rural areas relies on the sustainable production of good food, vibrant nature and a healthy environment. It has also been realised that the production of this last quality has an additional spiritual component, the worth of which cannot be readily translated by crude commercial gain. This excursion has been designed to give a flavour of the differing component aspects of the New Nature process in the Netherlands. It will combine visits to some incredible recreated “wilderness” sites such as Oostvaardersplassen, with tours of older cultural landscapes such as the Veluwe or Nardermeer. It will incorporate an overview of the pan-European ecological corridor strategy being developed along the continents major river systems Accommodation for the tour will be based around a basic youth hostel service with food prepared on site. The tour will be accompanied throughout by Dr Hans Kampf a leading architect of the “New Nature” conservation process. Provisional agenda 8^th May – Departure from Dover and drive to the Biesboch estuary. This significant wetland area was the site of the first reintroduction of European Beaver in the Netherlands and is a premier site for wetland birds. 9^th May – An all day trip along the river corridors of the rivers Waal and Rhine to view a number of nature corridor sites and projects. 10^th May – An all day visit to the Heathlands of the Veluwe. This old cultural landscape is based on an internal ice age sand dune system, which has been improved since prehistoric times for livestock grazing purposes and is now maintained for its nature conservation value. 11^th May - All day trip with a Flat wagon to the Oostvaardersplassen reserve. This ambitious project which has focused on the restoration of natural process on a significant scale is arguably one of the most important nature conservation ventures in Western Europe. Herds of recreated Aurochs, Konik horses and red deer have produced in conjunction with human endeavour a landscape, which is extremely rich in nature. 12^th May – A morning excursion to the oldest nature reserve in Holland. The Nardermeer inhabited by a host of aquatic bird species such as purple herons, bitterns and night herons. There will additionally be some opportunities to view cultural sites and a range of evening lectures TBA. Cost of the above with over night accommodation near Dover is £363 per head. If no accommodation is required cost is £313 but participants should note that departure from Folkestone will be at 6.00am. To book a place on this trip, you will need to send a deposit of £100 15th of February, 2006. Please make cheques payable the travel company Wild Europe Ltd and post to the following address: Derek Gow Consultancy Ltd, Moor View, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, Devon PL16 0JS Contact: Derek Gow (derekjgow@aol.com) Tel: 01409 211249 - Mob: 07764 690867 Elmley Marshes Visit (20 May 2006) Phillip Merricks, landowner and manager of part of Elmley Marshes National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey in North Kent, has invited BANC and WN members to visit the site on Saturday 20 May. The site holds the largest concentration of breeding waders in lowland Britain. The marshes are kept in ideal condition for shore-birds by cattle-grazing. Meet at 1pm for lunch, 2pm for site visit, at Kings Hill Farm car park. Map ref: TQ 939679 Take the A249 onto the Isle of Sheppey. After 1.25 miles, turn right (following the RSPB sign). The car park is a further 1.25 miles along this track. Bus - Nearest stop at Queenborough (4 miles) By train - Swale Halt (request stop) 3 miles If coming please email Peter Massini first on pete.massini at english-nature.org.uk. (Please note the @ needs putting in!). We will try to arrange car-sharing or lifts from bus stops and stations. Wildland in Wales - Machynlleth (7, 8 April 2006) READ THE MEDIA BRIEFING here A report of the meeting is now posted and can be read here. The Wildland Network is hosting two days of wildland meetings at Machynlleth, in Mid Wales. The program below is subject to revision. Last updated: 25th March 2006
		FRIDAY 7th APRIL 2006: A one day conference at Plas Dolguog, Machynlleth, will look at the issues and opportunities for wildland in Wales: Agenda 09.30 Registration and coffee Photo exhibition from Cambrian Mountains Society Chair (Mick Green) 10.15 Welcome, introduction and scene setting: emerging ideas and opportunities for wildland in Wales (Stanley Owen) 10.30 Potential for species reintroductions in Wales and the role of wild mammals in natural processes (Derek Gow) 11.00 Questions and discussion 11.15 Coffee break 11.45 Examples of current wildland projects and activities in Wales: Nantgwynant, Snowdon (Keith Jones, National Trust) Vyrnwy Estate (Richard Farmer, RSPB) Dyfi Forest (Julian Bray, EA & David Farmery, FC) 13.00 Lunch 14.00 Mapping wildland (Dr Steve Carver, Leeds University) 14:15 Economic regeneration and wildland - Cambrian Mountains (Jeremy Wright, Powys County Council) 14.30 Workshops on benefits of wildland (facilitated by Rick Minter) Groups on: Ecology and biodiversity Nature's services - flood control, carbon storage, etc. Spiritual dimensions Recreation, adventure and challenge Therapeutic and education opportunities Economic opportunities and new livelihoods Game, fishing and food from wildland Making wildland pay for private landowners e.g. providing services for visitors, providing public benefits for public funds 15.30 Tea break 16.00 Report back from workshops and collective discussion on key issues 16.45 Reflections on key messages (Peter Taylor, author of Beyond Conservation, A Wildland Strategy) 16.55 Close SATURDAY 8th APRIL 2006: Site visits to areas with wildland qualities and examples of restoration of natural habitats. 10.00 Meet in Machynlleth 10.15 Cors Dyfi (Nature Reserve, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust) Example of spruce plantation restored to wetland habitat on estuary 11.00 Cors Fochno (Dyfi National Nature Reserve, CCW) Lowland raised bog and tidal marsh 12.30 Lunch (bring sandwiches or buy at Clettwr Café, Tre'r Ddol) 14.00 Pemprys (John Muir Trust) Cambrian Mountains valley up from SAC oakwoods of Cwm Einion. Landowner working in partnership with JMT on potential for rewilding. Landowner or JMT representative on hand to talk about progress and problems. 15.30 Forestry Commission woodlands and moorland on Pumlumon plateau (FC, Tbc). Good views, large wild area, role and potential of FC land, some areas recently cleared of spruce for restoration to native habitats. 17.00 End Fees, payable to "Wildland Network - Wales": £15 individuals, £25 charities and NGOs, £50 public, private and academic bodies. Includes lunch and refreshments and a write up of the conference. A copy of the meeting program can be downloaded here (PDF 12kb). Details of the final program will be posted by March. The venue for the Friday conference is: Plas Dolguog Hotel, Felingerrig Machynlleth Powys, SY20 8UJ Phone: 01654 702244 www.plasdolguog.co.uk Machynlleth is served by train (from Birmingham) and by bus (from Bangor and Cardiff), lifts from Machynlleth Station to Plas Dolguog by arrangement. List of local accommodation can be sent on request. Email bookings to: cymru@wildland-network.org.uk Post your cheque and contact details to: Wildland Network – Wales Plas Einion Ffwrnais Machynlleth SY20 8PG If you want to speak someone about the conference, phone 01970 832625 Tir Gwyllt yng Nghymru – Cyfleoedd, materion sy’n ymwneud ac enghreifftiau Machynlleth, 7fed ac 8fed Ebrill 2006 Pleser mawr i’r Rhwydwaith Tir Gwyllt yw cynnal deuddydd o gyfarfodydd tir gwyllt ym Machynlleth yng nghanolbarth Cymru. Ddydd Gwener 7fed Ebrill: Bydd Cynhadledd undydd ym Mhlas Dolguog, Machynlleth yn edrych ar gyfleoedd a materion sy’n ymwneud â thir gwyllt yng Nghymru. Enghreifftiau o brosiectau tir gwyllt yng Nghymru. Prosesau naturiol mewn cadwraeth natur a’r potensial ar gyfer ailgyflwyno rhywogaethau. Y budd eang ac amrywiol sy’n deillio o dir gwyllt. Ffioedd, yn daladwy i “Rwydwaith Tir Gwyllt Cymru”: £15 unigolion, £25 cymdeithas wirfoddol a Chyrff Anlywodraethol, £50 cyrff cyhoeddus, preifat ac academaidd. Gan gynnwys cinio a lluniaeth. Ddydd Sadwrn 8fed Ebrill: Treulir diwrnod yn ymweld â safleoedd yn ardal Machynlleth gan edrych ar ardaloedd sydd â nodweddion tir gwyllt ac enghreifftiau o adfer cynefinoedd naturiol. Bydd y daith yn mynd â ni i warchodfeydd yr aber, prosiect mewn dyffryn ategol, a bryniau diffaith eang y Mynyddoedd Cambriaidd. Mae gwasanaeth trên i Fachynlleth o Birmingham a gwasanaeth bws (o Fangor a Chaerdydd). Gellir trefnu cludiant o’r orsaf i Blas Dolguog. Gellir anfon rhestr o lety lleol ar gais. Archebion i: E-bost cymru@wildland-network.org.uk Post Rhwydwaith Tir Gwyllt Plas Einion Ffwrnais Machynlleth SY20 8PG Ffôn 01970 832625 Gwefan y Rhwydwaith Tir Gwyllt: www.wildland-network.org.uk
		EVENTS OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS Bringing back the Beaver (5/6 May 2006) A one day conference at the Cotswold Water Park on 5th May, and repeated 6th May. Hosted by the Cotswold Water Park Society and Derek Gow Consultancy Ltd. Chairman: Simon Pickering – Cotswold Water Park Society 9.00 am Beavers at Lower Mill Estate: A vision for the future - Jeremy Paxton An explanation of the Lower Mill Estate beaver project – people and wildlife living together - and its practical implications for the future development of our countryside. 9.30 am Setting the Scene - Dr Bryony Coles An examination of recently uncovered evidence for the former existence of this species in mainland Britain. Dr Coles has researched the Archaeological evidence of beaver presence for over 10 years. Her work has uncovered prehistoric human chisels made from the jaw bones of beaver as well as host of preserved field signs and dam relicts. 10.00 am A case for the restoration of the European beaver in Britain - Roy Dennis An ecological assessment of the desirability of restoring the European beaver to mainland Britain. Roy was a board member of SNH when the concept of reintroduction was first raised and has travelled widely to view beaver restoration projects in Europe. 10.30 am. Coffee 11.00 am A historic review of the European beaver - Duncan Halley The European beaver is now recognised as a key stone ecological species. Less well known is its history of past persecution and subsequent reintroduction. Duncan Halley has lived and worked with European beavers in Norway for the last 10 years and has presented a number of seminal papers on the species history and ecology. 11.30 am Beavers in Bavaria - Gerhard Schwab Modern Bavaria is an intensively used landscape from a human development, agricultural and water engineering perspective. European Beavers reintroduced in the 1960’s are now rapidly expanding their range and a range of innovative solutions have been devised by Gerhard and his colleagues to mitigate for aspects of beaver activity where they conflict with human interests. . 12.00 am Thwarting the engineers - Skip Lisle By the beginning of the 20^th century North American beavers populations had been decimated by human hunting throughout most of their former range. From this low point they have now recovered extensively in many states to the point where their dam building activities have caused some inconvenice. Skip Lisle is an expert on the construction of simple drainage “beaver deceiver”structures, which thwart their ability to block culverts and enable the removal of inconvenient dams. 12.30 am Pause for thought – speaker to be arranged 12.35 am - Lunch 1.30 pm Beavers, ecotourisim and human enjoyment - Gijs Kurstjens Beavers were reintroduced to the Netherlands almost 20 years ago. In the Gelderspoort area of the Rhine an innovative land restoration project is developing which will allow wild nature to reclaim a significant area of old river forelands. The European beavers reintroduced into this area have been co-opted as a restoration symbol – a Dutch Panda. Their field signs and presence are being enjoyed by ever-greater numbers of the Dutch public. 2.00 pm Beavers and water retention -giving the earth back its kidneys - Andrejz Ceczk Andrejz has been involved in a number of beaver restoration projects in Eastern Europe some of which have been given official support in an effort to assist the retention of water in a country which has one of the fastest declining groundwater levels in Europe. 2.30 pm Beavers and politics: Lessons from the Scottish experience - Lisa Schneidau The Scottish Executive recently refused permission for a trial restoration of European beaver in Knapdale, Kintyre to proceed. This project had attracted the significant support of conservation organisations, the general public and was an initiative after 10 years of consultation of the executives own conservation watchdog SNH. What lessons can be learnt from this experience. 3.00 pm Coffee 3.30 pm Where do we go from here? - Derek Gow 3.45 pm Chaired open session with panel of speakers. 4.45 pm Conclusion and Action The agenda is the same event for 5 and 6 May. A booking form can be downloaded here (PDF 112kb) The Journey for the Wild - John Muir Trust, summer 2006 The Journey for the Wild is an epic adventure through some of the UK’s wildest places. In the spirit of John Muir, the journey will take place on rivers, land and sea; traveling light and with a minimal carbon footprint. The aim is to raise awareness of the value of wild places for people and nature. People of all abilities will share in the opportunity to pass a message from wild place to wild place. The journey will cover over 2,500 miles during 5 months of the summer of 2006, with routes from the North, South, East and West, culminating in a celebration at Ben Nevis. The route to be taken by the four message batons is shown on the website and links places involved with the John Muir Trust over the years. We encourage people who would like to be involved in areas not visited by main route to create their own route to join with the Journey. Handover points from leg to leg are fixed, but the route in between is up to you. Please see www.jmt.org/programmes or contact the office 0845 456 1783 for detail of leg start and finish points. This is a great opportunity for you and your organisation to be involved in helping to raise awareness of the value of wild places for people and nature British Big Cat Conference, Leicestershire/Northants border 24th - 26th March 2006 The first national British Big Cat Conference will take place over the weekend of 24th - 26th March 2006 in Marston Trussell on the Leicestershire/Northants border- one of the areas where a feral big cat is most likely to be seen. In the last four decades, big cat sightings have increased exponentially and are currently running at an estimated 1200 sightings a year. The glimpse of a black, panther-like animal is now the commonest brush with the unknown in Britain. Sightings extend from Sutherland to Cornwall and from Norwich to the Isle of Mull. Yet still none has been caught, alive or dead. The conference will draw together investigators of the phenomenon, from police officers to zoologists, field investigators to philosophers, and many eyewitnesses who have recently had close encounters with big cats. Tickets for the conference are £20 in advance. The contact details are: Telephone: 01300 321316 Write: BBC Conference, Reagh, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Ireland Email: conference@harpur.org www.harpur.org/conference.htm Zoological Society of London - Scientific Meetings Free scientific meetings of the ZSL coming up include: "Conservation of large carnivores outside protected areas" - 14th February 2006 "Captive breeding and reintroduction of native species" - 9th May 2006 The meetings are from 5.30pm to 7.15pm in the Meeting Rooms of the ZSL, which are next to its Main Offices, on the north side of the Outer Circle, Regent’s Park. Contact: Deborah Body, Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator, The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY Email: deborah.body@zsl.org Tel: 020 7449 6227 www.zsl.org International workshop - Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (30 Mar - 1 Apr 2006) "Species introduction in restoration projects -possibilities and limitations". The annual workshop of the specialist group "Restoration Ecology" of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be held from 30 March to 1 April 2006 in Freising, Germany (near Munich). You can find further information about the themes and deadlines of the workshop on: http://www.wzw.tum.de/vegoek/restoration2006/

Chairman: Simon Pickering – Cotswold Water Park Society