Saturday 21st March in Stogursey – All welcome!
The Nature of the Quantocks Conference brings together a team of people involved in the conservation and protection of the Quantocks and the wildlife you can find there.
The conference is free to all and is brought to you by the Friends of the Quantocks. We are a charity who own 400 acres of the Common and we’ll share own conservation successes over the past year. This includes a project that led to the re-discovery of the rare and elusive White-letter Hairstreak butterfly, after a gap of 18 years, and the planting of over 400 disease-resistant elm trees. We’ll also share a number of ways in which you can get personally involved in conservation work. Could you be a species champion?
BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET HERE
You will hear from local naturalist and wildlife author Nigel Phillips, who will share from his new book The Nature of the Quantocks. The book will be available to buy on the day and Nigel will be on hand to sign your copy. We also have author Aidan Meighan, who will be sharing some tree folklore and on hand to sign his new book The Folklore of Trees.
There will be talks on the rare Lesser-spotted Woodpecker and the heathland birds nesting just feet away from the paths you walk on. In addition, you will hear about an important scientific research project starting this year on our local Adder population.
National Landscape manager Iain Porter will share the management plan for the hills over the coming years, whilst Paul Rutter will talk about the importance of wildlife corridors. Fiona Jackson and Beth Riches will explain how community projects can play their part in conservation and nature recovery.
It’s going to be a day of discovery and learning, amongst like-minded people, and we’d love you to join us. The event is free, but you need to book your ticket in advance.
Come for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day (bring your packed lunch!).
BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET HERE
The Programme
MORNING SESSION
09.30 refreshments and book signing
10.00 The Nature of the Quantocks, with author Nigel Phillips
Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, with Dr Gus Robin
The Quantock Hills National Landscape Management Plan, with Iain Porter
Time for questions
Hidden Nests of the Heath, with Lara Nouri and Waheed Arshad
The Green Blueprint, with Paul Rutter
Questions and a break for lunch (please bring your own). An opportunity to stretch legs and do some networking and buy books.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Begins at 13.30 with the Friends of the Quantocks review, AGM and voting for new trustees
Followed by The Folklore of Trees, with author Aidan Meighan
The Elm and Hairstreak Project, with Robin Stamp
Deeper Insights into Adder Ecology on the Quantock hills, with Kev Palmer
Wilder Enmore & Goathurst, with Fiona Jackson and Beth Riches
Final Question time, and conference ends at 16.30
Refreshments
Refreshments will be served on arrival and over lunchtime. Donations are very welcome. If you’re coming for the whole day, please bring lunch with you.
BOOK YOUR FREE TICKET HERE
