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WORKSHOPS ON WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

 

SESSION A

WORKSHOP 1

MANAGING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON RESERVES

Facilitators: Robin Standring and Jill Harden

 

Aim:  To share best practice in managing archaeological sites on reserves

 

This workshop will provide an opportunity to find out how some reserve staff have been working to enhance the conservation and accessibility of some of the fascinating historic sites on their land, discuss options and get advice on possible volunteer and project work.  A brief presentation supported by hand-outs should enable wide-ranging and lively discussions.

 

Topics will include scrub bashing and tree felling, dealing with damaging erosion scars and burrows, appropriate habitat management, knowing your ruins and finding out much more about local land use in recent times and long gone.

 

This will be of use to many reserve staff, as most if not all reserves have heritage assets within their boundaries, from prehistoric burial mounds to historic farmsteads and 2nd World War sites – they are all part of the wider historic environment that is an integral part of the landscapes that we manage. 

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 2

MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF DEER ON RESERVES

Facilitators: Gareth Fisher and David Morris

 

 

Aim: To raise awareness about deer issues on reserves and in the surrounding countryside, and inform colleagues of how to assess for deer management needed and the options available to them.

 

What it will cover: 

  • Deer populations in the UK, how they are changing both in terms of numbers and distribution.

  • Impacts of deer on habitats and species.

  • Monitoring the impacts of deer and assessing if management is needed.

  • Things to consider when planning and carrying out deer management.

 

Format:

Short presentation followed by discussion

 

Other information:

This workshop is for people who have deer issues on reserves, whether they are generally interested or just starting to have concerns, are currently monitoring, or are actively managing the deer populations. It will be an opportunity for people to find out what they can or need to do, and to share experiences, raise questions and issues that they are experiencing.

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 3

VIEWING - THE FUTURE

Facilitators: Graham White, Emma Fernandes-Lopes and Rob Coleman

 

This workshop aims to share best practice and the latest ideas on enhancing the wildlife spectacle on reserves through careful site design and habitat manipulation. It aims to introduce participants to undertaking site audits of the wildlife viewing experience. It will consist of presentation followed by group discussions covering the importance of good ecological management, strategic management, thinking and tinkering, hides, trails, viewpoints.

Bring an open mind and a sense of humour.

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 4

DE-STRESSING THE SYSTEM - HOW TO STAY RESILIENT

Facilitators: Simon Busuttil and Andy Stokes

 

Active workshop to explore what the component parts of work pressure are and especially what ideas you might have for dealing with this.  

 

Staff can feel overwhelmed by pressure especially the feeling of too many and sometimes conflicting demands on them. They feel thinly stretched with consequences including stress, corner-cutting and reduced quality of standards achieved.  The current Reserves Strategy explicitly aims to reduce this pressure by streamlining our delivery and this workshop is a key part of this. 

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 5

MERLIN - NOW WITH ADDED EXCITEMENT

Facilitator: David Fouracre

 

Introducing the new species and feature recording elements of Merlin. Offering a chance to try it and to answer any questions in order to improve their confidence and skills using the system.

 

A short introductory presentation, highlighting some of the existing tools, but mainly focussing on things that are new in Merlin (specifically for reserve staff). Followed by a hands on workshop using laptops with structured worksheets for people to try working through.

 

Anyone who uses Merlin, or will need to use Merlin should find this useful. We will provide a limited number of laptops (8), so people can bring their own if they wish to or work in groups. 

 

 

 

WORKSHOP 6

INTRODUCTION TO INSECTS

Facilitator: Mark Gurney

 

If the weather is good we will look for insects in the grounds of the hotel and find out about what they do and where they live.  If it is raining or windy or cold, we will find out the same things indoors. 

Bring a hand lens if you have one.

 

 

 

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