Protecting the environment in the face of climate change

Protecting the environment in the face of climate change

Join researchers from Bournemouth, Southampton, Oxford and Gloucestershire Universities, as well as representatives from the Forestry Commission, Verderers and New Forest Association, as we discuss the Forest and its future.

This one-day conference on Tuesday 25 October 2016 will cover the ecology, conservation and management of the New Forest, and encourage attendees to share their thoughts.

The New Forest is widely recognised to be of international importance for wildlife. At the same time, the ecosystems of the New Forest provide many benefits to people, including recreation, rearing of livestock, timber production and clean water. The Forest can be thought of as an integrated system, in which both people and wildlife play a significant part. This system has always been dynamic, and in many ways it has been resilient to environmental change. But how is the Forest changing at the moment? And how might it change in future, given current concerns about climate change?

This conference will explore these issues, by presenting the results of recent research into the ecology and dynamics of the New Forest, focusing both on wildlife and the benefits provided by ecosystems to people, and the impacts of climate change. The afternoon session will include a discussion panel that will reflect on the papers presented, in which attendees are encouraged to participate.

A provisional programme can be found here.

The New Forest Knowledge conference is part of the Heritage Lottery funded Our Past, Our Future landscape partnership scheme and will take place on Tuesday 25 October 2016. Registration opens at 9.30am and the afternoon session will finish by 5.15pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are only £15 and can be bought via Eventbrite at www.newforestknowledge-conference-2016.eventbrite.com

Ticket sales end Wednesday 12 October 2016.

For more information, contact New Forest Knowledge Project Officer Kath Walker at kath.walker@newforestcentre.org.uk or call 02380 286150.

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Notes to Editors:

About the New Forest Centre and Christopher Tower Reference Library

The New Forest Centre and Christopher Tower Reference Library is a visitor centre, museum, reference library and art gallery conveniently located in Lyndhurst. The New Forest Centre aims to inspire its visitors to celebrate and conserve the New Forest. It does this by collecting, conserving and interpreting its collections and by providing educational activities and information to a broad range of audiences. In doing so, it acts in ways that are ethical, ecologically sensitive and intellectually accessible and affordable. It is owned and run by the New Forest Ninth Centenary Trust (reg. charity no: 279373).

Our Past, Our Future

Our Past, Our Future is a Landscape Partnership Scheme for the New Forest which, supported by Heritage Lottery Funding, will undertake a range of projects to restore lost habitats, develop Forest skills and inspire a new generation to champion and care for the New Forest. The partnership focuses on the enclosed lands which surround the Open Forest.

The five-year scheme is being led by the New Forest National Park Authority working alongside several delivery and funding partners, including the New Forest Centre.

For more information on Our Past, Our Future visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/landscapepartnership.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk@heritagelottery @HLFSouthEast