On Saturday 6th July I went to the Wildlife
Conference in Chagford, hosted by Natural Devon. It was well attended with a
waiting list for those who had wanted to come.
There was a wide selection of talks and workshops from groups
all over Devon offering an insight into the wildlife work that is
going on and seeking to inspire others to do more. Another aspect
of the event was to try to find ways of connecting groups and
enthusiasts to share information. Many at the conference felt the
need to take action to protect wildlife, particularly in the
knowledge we now have of climate change and how this will affect
our world and the wildlife.
One of the inspiring talks was from Sacha Dench who recently
featured in a documentary in which she flew on a paramotor
along with swans on their migratory path from arctic Russia to
Britain, which she described as "hanging from a handkerchief with a
fan on her back". Having identified that there is a decline in the
Bewick swan population, she decided to investigate by following the
swans. The talk gave an insight into her journey which everyone
told her was impossible, and how she made this happen. Her final
thought was, don't presume it cannot be done or people won't be
interested or want to help, you may be surprised if you just
try.
This began a theme. Stories from local people, which were also
very motivating, showed there is much we can do at this level and
again how people just had a go to make their ideas come to
life.
The photograph shows the rewilding of St Michael's Church,
Chagford. The project aimed to reintroduce swifts and provide food
for them from the churchyard by managing for wildlife. Different
areas are managed in different ways and mowing at different rates
and times. The clinical mowing we usually see today is a recent
activity. There is a video link in the church to see inside the
swift boxes so people can see and feel attached to the birds and
understand why they are rewilding the churchyard.
The conference was funded by South West Water, Devon County
Council and Natural Devon.
Dee Ross, Core Group Leader