On 20 June 2023 we held an evening at Warwick University to hear about species reintroductions from across the UK.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust discussed the return of beavers to Willington Wetlands, Kent Wildlife Trust talked about their amazing bison project and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust shared details of the dormice now thriving in our woodlands.
The evening opened with the Trust’s AGM.
Speakers
Elysia Barker-Davies, Wilder Engagement Manager
at Kent Wildlife Trust
The Wilder Blean project is working to restore the woodland within West Blean & Thornden Woods, Kent, with the introduction of European Bison as “eco-system engineers”, who will transform the woods into a lush, thriving, biodiverse environment. Elysia will discuss the challenges they have faced, the extension monitoring work within the project, and how Kent is working with the communities in this landscape.
Emma Datta, Beaver Feasibility Officer
at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
We’ll take a whistle stop tour of the history of beavers in Britain, before hearing about what the busy beavers have been up to since their release into an enclosure at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Willington Wetland reserve in 2021; the first in Derbyshire for 800 years. Emma will also talk about the importance of looking into the feasibility for potential future wild beaver release in Derbyshire.
Ian Jelley, Director of Landscape Recovery
at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Dormice have suffered a serious decline over the last century. Warwickshire is one of the least wooded counties in the country and their habitat here has dwindled, but thanks to a recent reintroduction project, they are back on the map. Ian will talk about how taking a landscape scale approach to woodland management and habitat connectivity has created the conditions for species like dormice to be reintroduced, and ultimately thrive.
Voting by proxy
If you are a member of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust who is unable to attend the AGM and you wish to exercise your vote, you may appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf at the meeting. In order to do this you will need to complete and sign the form below, then return it to us.