Kent Wildlife Conference 2023

THE KENT WILDLIFE CONFERENCE

SATURDAY 21st October 2023

University of Kent, Canterbury Campus: Grimond 1 Lecture Theatre

The annual Kent Wildlife Conference has been created as a way for field naturalists to meet, learn about and discuss the county’s wild plant and animal species, conservation and new ways of recording.

You are welcome to bring displays or other information about work relevant to Kent’s natural history, and we especially welcome posters detailing recent research work. To book displays please contact Dr Gary Robinson at the University  (. 01227 823530) at least 7 days before the event.

The Conference will be held in the Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 at the University of Kent’s Canterbury Campus, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ. Free, ample parking is available all day in the nearby main visitor car park.

The cost for the day is £19 per person (£10 for students) which includes refreshments and a buffet lunch (vegetarian dishes included).

To book your place now, scroll down and click on the 'Register' button.

Or to register and pay by bank transfer or cheque, download this booking form. All bookings must be received by Saturday 14th October.

The theme of this year's conference is The Role of Biodiversity and Natural History Recording in Rebuilding Biodiversity. The government recently committed itself to protecting 30% of land and seas for wildlife by 2030, and the development of a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent  is now under way. So it is essential to understand how the huge amount of wildlife data collected by wildlife groups and interested individuals can be used to help set targets for recovery and to monitor success.

The conference will include presentations relevant to the subject, and open sessions where these important issues can be discussed by those attending.

PROGRAMME

9.55   Welcome. Simon Springate, Kent Field Club.

10.00   Introduction to the theme of the day. Richard Moyse, Kent Field Club

10.20   Creating a new generation of wildflower-rich grasslands to drive species recovery. Dan Tuson, Natural England

10.45   Measuring bumblebee population responses within a landscape-scale restoration project. Nikki Gammans, Bumblebee Conservation Trust

11.10 – 11.45 Coffee and poster session

11.45   Monitoring and management of Local Wildlife Sites. Marie Dipple, Kent Wildlife Trust

12.10   Wizardry with wildlife cameras - Making optimal use of camera traps to evaluate conservation success. Will Hughes, Plumpton College

12.35   Discussion: Targets for habitats or targets for species: which is best?

12.55 – 14.15 Lunch and poster session

14.15    Project Call. A chance for anyone present to publicise and ask for help with wildlife recording projects.

14.45    Saproxylic stepping stones: Supporting deadwood beetle diversity through tree age gaps. Stephanie Skipp

15.10    General Discussion

15.30   Refreshments and Close.

To book NOW, scroll down and click the 'Register' button. Or you can CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FORM TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

How to find the Grimond Building

From Whitstable, A2, Canterbury and the west enter the university from the A290 follow the road into Giles Lane and turn right into Library Road; from Herne Bay, Canterbury and the east enter the university from Hackington Road and follow Giles Lane and turn left into Library Road.

The joint Grimond and Aphra and Lumley Building is west (though it feels north) of the new Templeman Library.

You may park for free in the Gulbenkian Theatre carpark during day time, or use the Sports Centre Road area on the opposite side of Giles Lane nearby, which has a larger free parking area for visitors.

A plan of the campus and location of the Grimond Building can be viewed at

https://www.kent.ac.uk/maps/canterbury/canterbury-campus/building/grimond-building/glt2

There is a frequent bus service to the University from both Canterbury East and Canterbury West railway stations. There is a bus stop named ‘Science Building’ and it is a short walk east from here onto the main campus and to the Grimond Building near the new Templeman Library.