A Better Future for Devon's Birds - 6th November 2015, Exeter - SOLD OUT

A major one-day conference focusing on the current state of Devon's birds and the conservation measures being taken to create a better future for many of our declining species. Jointly hosted by Devon Birds and the Dartmoor Preservation Association.

Friday 6th November 2015 at Exeter Race Course, Kennford, with registration from 8.30am. Includes buffet lunch and refreshments.

SOLD OUT

Note: Tickets will not be posted – instead please print your email receipt from WorldPay and bring it with you, and we will simply check off your name on our list at registration.

Download the flyer (PDF format)

The conference is aimed at everyone with an interest in Devon's birds, including members of wildlife organisations, conservationists, land managers and farmers. Topics include:

• Key findings from the new Devon Bird Atlas.
• Species recovery programmes.
• Landscape scale conservation.
• Dartmoor's central importance for birds.

Speakers

• Stephen Moss – one of the UK’s best-known naturalists, a best-selling author and an award-winning TV and radio producer whose credits include Springwatch and Tweet of the Day. He is our keynote speaker for the day.
• Martin Harper – the RSPB's Conservation Director will talk about the RSPB's critical work on species recovery, including Cirl Bunting in Devon, habitat management and the key role of nature reserves.
• Harry Barton – Chief Executive of Devon Wildlife Trust. He will talk about the Trust’s commitment to landscape-scale conservation and how it is benefiting birds across the county.
• Simon Lyster – a board member of Natural England, a former Director General of the Wildlife Trusts and the current Chairman of World Land Trust. He will talk about the governance of natural areas and the farmed environment.
• John Varley – Chief Executive of Clinton Devon Estates, one of the largest landowners in the county. John will talk about approaches to land management across a range of habitats that balance commercial interests with conservation.

Other speakers include: Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, Stella Beavan and Mike Lock, co-authors of the new Devon Bird Atlas, Charles Tyler, Professor of Environmental Biology at the University of Exeter, John Walters, one of Devon’s most knowledgeable naturalists and Malcolm Burgess, a leading ornithologist.

Conference Schedule

Programme for the Day

      8.30am         Doors open for Registration. Refreshments available

      9.30am         Welcome from Norman Cowling, Dartmoor Preservation Association

      9.35am         Introduction by Kevin Bishop, DNPA, chair for the morning session

      9.40am         Mike Lock and Stella Beavan, editors of the Devon Bird Atlas

     10.15am        Stephen Moss, keynote speaker

     11.00am        Refreshment break

     11.30am        Martin Harper, Conservation Director, RSPB

     12.15pm       Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive, Dartmoor National Park

     12.45pm       John Varley, Chief Executive, Clinton Devon Estates

       1.15pm       LUNCH

       2.00pm       John Walters

       2.30pm       Harry Barton, Chief Executive, Devon Wildlife Trust

       3.00pm       Malcolm Burgess

       3.15pm       Refreshment break

       3.45pm       Simon Lyster, Natural England, chair for the afternoon session

       4.15pm       Professor Charles Tyler, University of Exeter

       4.45pm       Q&A Session

       5.10pm       Closing remarks by Kevin Cox, Devon Birds

       5.15pm       Finish