Countryside Management Association News

Natural England (NE) is being launched next month and to celebrate the creation of this new public body the CMA have been invited to "drinks and canapés" at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Wednesday 11th October. This social event, with a keynote speech from the Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP, is an indicator of the respect that your organisation is gaining at a national level.

Our ability to influence national organisations and their policies will make a positive difference for members delivering services at a local level. I ask you to read Natural England’s Strategic Direction 2006-2009 (follow this link and click on the download at the bottom of the page) and you will see the value that not just the CMA has to meeting NE’s targets but also your own roles.

The latest edition of Enjoy Worcestershire’s Parks and Countryside magazine has been launched by Worcestershire County Council on behalf of the Worcestershire Liveability Partnership.

Enjoy Worcestershire’s Parks and Countryside magazine is designed to help residents and visitors to the county to get out and enjoy the parks and countryside on their doorsteps. The magazine features over 300 guided walks, events and activities which take place at urban parks, picnic places, countryside sites and in the wider countryside.

The new magazine has been produced by the County Council’s Countryside Service on behalf of the Worcestershire Liveability Partnership and been funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the County Council and Worcestershire’s six district councils.

Phil Merrick, Chair of Worcestershire Liveability Partnership, said: “ Enjoy Worcestershire’s Parks and Countryside is the essential guide to the unique and diverse range of public open spaces available in Worcestershire. This second edition shows that wherever you live or stay in the county at any time of year you are never far from an exciting event or beautiful site to visit.”

The free magazine is available from countryside centres, County Hall, libraries, Tourist Information Centres, district civic centres, some garden centres or direct from the Countryside Service on 01562 710025.

So, you want to work in countryside management? This article on Naturenet spills the beans on how to succeed in your quest. There are a lot of people looking for paid countryside work, and not that many jobs. Check out the list of essential facts to ensure you can measure up your CV before that vital application... and know what to do after that.

The Countryside Management Association 40th. Anniversary conference was held at the University of Worcester on 14th and 15th September the title of which was “Towards Natural England”. The keynote speaker Sir Martin Doughty Chairman designate for Natural England emphasised that Natural England’s purpose was to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations.

He explained that existing ‘founding body’ work and duties will roll forward and will include the Countryside Agency's work with countryside management services, including following up current research into how local countryside management is being delivered. Natural England see this as an opportunity for a new improved relationship between themselves and countryside managers.

Sir Martin highlighted Natural England’s priorities and how they fitted into the Countryside Management Association's agenda. Natural England are keen to explore links to the Countryside Management Association’s work across a variety of sites and agendas both in urban and rural areas.

As well as Sir Martin the other speakers were Stephen Preston from English Nature who talked about Biodiversity and Landscape, Wendy Thompson from the Countryside Agency whose presentation covered Connecting with the Natural Environment and Jon Cree from Bishops Wood Education Centre who focused on education and interpretation.

The afternoon session picked-up on the morning themes via a series of workshops with the following day spent visiting various urban and rural sites in and around Worcester and the Malvern Hills.

Speakers at the Conference dinner included one of the founder members of CMA; David Newman and Wade Muggleton; the "Wider Countryside" Officer for Worcestershire County Council.

The CMA report for 2006 has been published and is now available on the website.