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THE WILDLAND NETWORK - media briefing 25 March 2006 | |
| About the Wildland Network...... |
WILDLAND IN WALES Conference and field visits: 7 and 8 April 2006
These are vital issues for the environment and the economy of many places in Wales. The wild character of Wales is strongly promoted in tourism images of the nation, but is the potential of wild land and wild nature fully realised, and can it offer livelihoods to many more people? These issues are closely linked with the future of farming, forestry, game, nature conservation, outdoor recreation, tourism and renewable energy. Come and debate them at ‘Wildland in Wales’. Key details below… 7 April: A day conference to look at the issues and opportunities for wildland. The programme will present… Examples of habitat restoration projects by conservation charities and government agencies. Talks on species reintroductions in Britain, and on how to work more with nature and use natural processes to enrich landscapes and habitats wildlife. Discussion on the many benefits of wildland, with participants engaged in small groups so everyone can have a say. Venue: Plas Dolguog, Machynlleth. Full programme at www.wildland-network.org.uk 8 April: a day of field visits in the Machynlleth area to look at areas with wildland qualities and examples of restoration of natural habitats. The itinerary will take us to the Dyfi estuary area, a project in a tributary valley, and the large wild heartland of the Cambrian Mountains. Fees payable to “Wildland Network – Wales” are £15 for individuals, £25 for charities and NGOs, and £50 for public, private and academic bodies. Price includes includes lunch and refreshments for 8 April. Machynlleth is served by train from Birmingham and Aberystwyth, and bus from Bangor and Cardiff. Lifts from Machynlleth Station to Plas Dolguog can be arranged. Bookings: cymru@wildland-network.org.uk 01970 832625. Media enquiries to: Mick Green mick@gn.apc.org 01970 832625 About the Wildland Network…The Wildland Network promotes the environment and human potential of wild land. It enables people to learn from each other’s views and experience on wild land and wild nature. The Wildland Network aims to: · promote the recognition and appreciation of wild land; · protect and conserve the qualities of wildness; and · promote the establishment of complete ecosystems on a large scale. The Wildland Network holds regular meetings and field visits on key aspects of wild land, wild nature, ecosystem restoration and species reintroductions. The Wildland Network hosts discussion groups and provides a news service through its web site www.wildland-network.org.uk Examples of members’ work include: Mapping wildland areas in UK. Identifying the value of wildland to society. Assessing the potential for species reintroductions. There is no accepted definition of wildland, though some organisations provide their own definition, for example the United States and Canadian governments, the IUCN, PAN Parks Foundation in Europe, the Scottish Office, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the John Muir Trust. It could be said that it is simply land that feels wild, the experience of wildness being largely based on subjective perceptions. It is possible to identify a number of themes contributing to wildness that consistently appear in definitions: a large area, with minimums quoted at 2000 and 10,000 hectares; remoteness, characterised by distance from roads and a perceived lack of other people; lack of built infrastructure; naturalness of vegetation; presence of wild animals. Other themes include the ruggedness of the terrain, lack of modification by humans, and having an intact ecosystem Many areas in Britain perceived as wild have few obvious wild animals and are not composed entirely of natural vegetation. However, these areas, often in the uplands, are still perceived as wild, due to their remoteness and lack of infrastructure, and are highly valued for these qualities. Moreover, recent changes in farm subsidies and the economics of plantation forestry give us unprecedented opportunities for creating more natural vegetation patterns over large areas, and enhancing the presence of wild animals where appropriate. The following is a summary of some of the main benefits of wildland…Cultural and spiritual: Looking at beautiful views, visiting historic landscapes, walking in remote country, observing wild animals, all have a profound effect on our well-being. There is a healing effect, where people connect with the land and wildlife, and find a profound sense of identity. These benefits are impossible to put a monetary value on, but it is these benefits that draw ever-increasing numbers of visitors to picturesque and wild areas, bringing income and investment in many direct and indirect ways. Educational and social: The experience of wild areas and of adventure activities are important aspects of education especially for young people. They bring a sense of challenge and achievement and introduce people to aspects of the world and of themselves that they do not have in a largely suburban society. Environmental services: Drainage and soil compaction in the uplands are associated with agriculture, and result in flooding downstream in the catchment in times of high rainfall, and the risk of drought in dry weather. Wild areas, where drainage and grazing pressure is reduced, are more effective at storing water and regulating flow downstream. Soils and vegetation are major stores of carbon. Carbon can be released from soils by agricultural activities and civil engineering works, contributing to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. By protecting soils and vegetation, for example in wildland areas, this carbon store can be preserved. Moreover, by allowing the growth of woody vegetation and halting soil disturbance, the land acts as a carbon sink, taking carbon out of the atmosphere. Wild animals and plants provide food and sport, for example through game fishing and shooting. The visitor income from ventures based on reintroduced species could be considerable and areas can be branded for the charismatic wildlife that people wish to travel to encounter. Economic: The above benefits to society attract economic advantages to local communities near wildland areas. This can be in the form of state or other funding to landowners to pay for services such as flood alleviation, growing trees, improving the landscape or enhancing wildlife. Alternatively, it can be in the form of revenue gained through business activities, for example providing accommodation and sustenance, or other services related to recreation. For example, the role of mountain biking in the regeneration of rural communities has received some publicity in recent years. The benefits of wildland are far ranging and substantial. Further research is needed here, not least to quantify these benefits, but there is no doubt that wildland is a valuable resource for the country and for future generations. It is also limited and much of it threatened by development and infrastructure. |