CMA Events & Training

National Science Learning Centre, University of York
9, 10 & 11 September 2008
The 10th National Heathland Conference, hosted by Natural England and sponsored by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, will be held in September at the inspirational venue of the National Science Learning Centre at the University of York, on the edge of the historic city.
The conference will be aimed at those interested in finding out the latest developments in heathland management and science and key themes will include:
„X Climate change
„X Nutrient management
„X Fire and management
„X Housing & development
„X Heathland interpretation
The 3 day event will include a mix of presentations, workshops and open discussions on Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring practical examples of heathland management techniques. The conference will conclude on Thursday with optional guided visits to the inspiring lowland heathland in the Vale of York and the upland massif of the North York Moors.
This year there will be a great emphasis on networking and we hope that the sharing of good practice will continue beyond the formal sessions and continue over an informal Yorkshire beer tasting social evening on Tuesday and guided tour of York Minster and formal conference dinner in York on Wednesday.
For more details and to register, please follow this link:
www.keystone-group.co.uk/heathlands

Julian Small
Land Management and Conservation Advisor
Vales Team
Natural England
Genesis 1
University Road
Heslington
York, YO10 5ZQ.
tel: 01904 435511
mob: 07909 882346
fax: 01904 435520

CMA Evening Social in Gloucestershire: Bat Walk.

Making up a quarter of our native mammal species, bats are a fascinating, but threatened group of animals. There are 17 bat species regularly found within the UK, most of which can be found in Gloucestershire.

The Gloucestershire Bat Group will be talking to us about site management for bats, their ecology and surveying. We will then use bat detectors to listen to their calls and with a bit of luck identify some of the species we encounter (weather permitting).

This is a brilliant opportunity to see and hear this fascinating group of animals and to learn about what we can do as countryside managers to encourage them onto our sites.

This evening social will be taking place in the Stroud area (the exact location will be confirmed nearer to the event) on the 18th August from approx. 8pm onwards. Prior booking is essential.

Please contact: Tim Bailey on 01452 863170 or tim.bailey@gloucestershire.gov.uk to book a place or for more information.

The CRN presents a landmark conference to explore the benefits and the challenges in encouraging children and young people to be active in the outdoors.

"Most adults recall experiences of being in the outdoors as children and the adventures of being out unsupervised until dark, and building dams and dens. Now, most adults would be fearful of children and young people being out unsupervised, trespassing, facing risks and getting into trouble". Jim Davis, The Children’s Society
This conference will consider how adults can overcome some of their own anxieties about children using the outdoors and how young people can discover that you don’t need to be Ray Mears to experience the outdoors.

The conference will address:

Why are young people today increasingly disengaged from their natural environment?
What will this mean for their personal development andfor society?
Whose responsibility is it to remove the barriers which prevent young people from enjoying the outdoors through play, recreation, sport and adventure?
What do young people themselves want?
Can we make a difference?
On booking please note your first and second choice for the afternoon sessions as these will be limited and on a first come first served basis.

Please follow the following link for the Flier and Booking Form:

http://www.countrysiderecreation.org.uk/events/Advert%20for%20Conference%20final.pdf

The home page of the Seminar has been done (http://www.rangerseminar.org/), and you can find there the English version of the programme.

Programme:

14 September (Sunday)
Arrival, Seminar opening with introductory speeches 13.00-14.30 Arrival and registration - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza accomodation)
15.00-18.00 Seminar opening, welcoming and introductory speeches - House of Nature, Kecskemét
Welcoming notes by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the two host national park directorates
Opening speech: The Hungarian Nature Conservation Ranger Service, speaker: Dr. Géza Temesi, Ministry of Environment and Water
Presentations about the two host national park directorates
17.30-19.00 Late arrivals and registration - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza
19.00 Dinner

15-18 September (Monday-Thursday)

Four days, four groups, four topics, four sites
visits to the Kiskunság and Danube-Dráva National Parks.

Breakfast from 7.00 a.m., departure to the sites at 8.00 by buses, arrival back to the place of accommodation around 18.00 followed by dinner each day.

Evening (after dinner) events:
Presentations about ranger services of different countries (one by each country, max. 20 minutes each)
European Table: countries or regions can present their national/regional food and drinks (kitchen equipment and staff available at Kunsági-major)
Wine tastings from two Hungarian wine regions (Kunság, Tokaj)
Rangers’ Raffle: participants are welcome to offer presentations (gifts). Income will be used to support IRF or contribute to organization costs of the Seminar.
Auction: items for sale will be exhibited with the upset price from the beginning of the Seminar, and sold during one of the evening events. Income might be offered to support IRF or contribute to the organization costs of the Seminar.

Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate, Site 1
Introducing the Ranger Service, Site visit to Gemenc

9.30 Arrival at Érsekcsanád, sailing on a river craft (for 34 persons) to Veránka Island. Canoeing down on a 13 km river section taking app. 2,5 hours. Watching game species (wild boar, reed deer) along the river.
12.00 Sailing back to Veránka Island by the river craft. Lunch (local fish soup, pasta with curd cheese).
14.00 An hour walking-tour in the national park. Introduction to the wildlife of Gemenc area, in field discussion about the operation of the Ranger Service.
15.30 Departure back to Kerekegyháza from Érsekcsanád

Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate, Site 2
Ecotourism, environmental education
9.30 Arrival at Ósükkösd, sailing to Gemenc across River Danube by a river craft, then travel to the Bárányfok Leisure Center by a narrow gauge train. Introduction to the ecotourism and education programme of the National Park Directorate. Visit to the exhibit and nature trail. Lunch. Meeting local craftsmen introducing their products. Departure back to Kerekegyháza.

Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Site 1
Nature conservation management (including agricultural activities), species protection projects in the Kiskunság National Park

9.00 Walking-tour from Kunpeszér village to the Hungarian Meadow Viper Conservation Centre. Introducing the related LIFE project, management of habitats. Nature friendly agriculture practices on grasslands.
13.00-14.00 Lunch at Kunszentmiklós
14.00-17.30 Management and agricultural use of alkaline grasslands in the different designated areas (national park, ESA, Natura 2000) in and around the Kiskunság National Park. The Great Bustard LIFE project. Bird watching on different restored habitats.

Kiskunság National Park Directorate, Site 2
Habitat management and rehabilitation

9.00 Arrival at Pusztaszer. 3-3,5 km walking-tour to Büdös-szék (natural alkaline pond), introducing habitat management and restoration activities. Historical aspects of the past thousand years related to the alkaline grassland-wetland mosaic. Grassland management with old Hungarian domestic animal species (Hungarian Grey Cattle, Water Buffalo)
12.30-13.30 Lunch in the Kemencés Csárda
13.30-16.30 Visit to the National Historical Park at Ópusztaszer, introduction to the history of Hungary

19 September (Friday)
9.00-12.00 Presentation about the technical equipment used by the Hungarian Nature Conservation Ranger Service. Assessment of the Seminar - Kunsági-major, Kerekegyháza
12.30- 15.00 Lunch
15.00 Closing speeches, Kunsági-major
18.00 Dinner
Social evening: Hungarian folk music and dance-house with the Csík Band, appr. 1,5 hours

20 September (Saturday)

7.00- 8.00 Breakfast
Departure

For more details including the pre and post seminar programme please go to the home page of the http://www.rangerseminar.org/,where you can find the English version.