In recent years, rewilding has become a major theme in conservation, stimulated by publications such as George Monbiot’s Feral and the launch of rewilding organisations both in the UK and at the European scale. While a number of rewilding initiatives have been launched in the UK, most of these are predominantly located in upland areas in the north and west of the country. Elsewhere in Europe, many rewilding initiatives are seeking to encourage ecological recovery on agricultural land that has been abandoned. This raises the question of whether rewilding concepts are applicable to intensive agricultural landscapes such as Dorset, and if so, how they might best be implemented.

The aim of this meeting is to examine concept of rewilding: how it is defined, which approaches can be used, and whether such concepts and approaches might be relevant to Dorset.

We are delighted to be able to welcome a number of speakers who will present at the meeting, including leading researchers with expertise in rewilding, and practitioners with experience in implementing rewilding projects. The meeting will also involve representatives from a number of conservation organisations in Dorset, who will be invited to share their perspectives on rewilding. We hope to provide an opportunity to learn about what rewilding entails and to examine its strengths and weaknesses as a concept, and also to discuss its potential application in Dorset.

Schedule

Time

Speaker/ break

10:00 - 10:30

Registration

10:30 - 10:40

Introduction from Prof. Adrian Newton, Bournemouth University

10:40 - 12:00

Session 1, chaired by Prof. Adrian Newton, Bournemouth University

10:40 - 11:10

Dr Paul Jepson, Oxford University

‘'Rewilding Policy: risk and opportunities'

11:10 - 11:40

Dr Christopher Sandom, University of Sussex

“Putting rewilding into practice”

11:40 - 12:00

Tea/ coffee break

12:00 - 14:00

Session 2, chaired by Imogen Davenport, Dorset

12:00 - 12:30

Dr Matthew Heard, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

“Ecological impacts of rewilding using extensive grazing: the case of Knepp Estate”

12:30 - 13:00

Alison Turnock, Dorset AONB

“The Wild Purbeck Nature Improvement Area - towards bigger, better, more, joined”

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Session 3, chaired by Arjan Gosal, Bournemouth University

14:00 - 14:30

Professor Richard Brazier, Exeter University

“Quantifying the ecohydrological impacts of reintroducing Eurasian Beaver to intensively managed, lowland agricultural landscapes”.

14:30 - 15:00

Fiona Bowles, Poole Harbour Catchment Initiative

“Is there space for Dorset Rivers to run wild? “

15:00 - 15:20

Tea/ coffee break

15:20 - 17:30

Session 4, chaired by Prof. James Bullock, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

15:20 - 15:50

Helen Meech, Rewilding Britain - “Why Rewild Britain?”

15:50 - 17:30

Panel discussion

With Jonathan Spencer (Forestry Commission), Ian Alexander (Natural England), Mark Robbins (RSPB), David Brown (National Trust) and Imogen Davenport (Dorset Wildlife Trust)

Booking is essential. If you wish to have a buffet lunch provided the cost is £8.50, otherwise the ticket for entry only is free.

Complimentary tea and coffee will be provided for all attendees (all ticket types).

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON THE 28TH APRIL 2016.

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Photo credit: Blackmore Vale from Bell Hill, Dorset by Jack Pease Photography (CC BY, 2015)