Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project

End of Project Conference

Wednesday 27th – Thursday 28th September 2017

Click here to see the Brochure  

Click here to see Layman's Report 

Purpose of conference
To review the projects methods, share lessons learnt and effectiveness. Key decision makers will have the opportunity to learn the processes of rat removal work for island restoration and the key components for replication and transferability elsewhere in the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Attendees
Delegates invited include the community on St Agnes, the wider community of the islands, Steering Group representatives and their colleagues, conservation professionals from both the UK and Europe.

Conference aims

• To make a valuable contribution to the broader debate that is currently taking place about the impacts of invasive alien species in the EU and the best means of dealing with these species 
• To share experience and ideas, which may help to catalyse further work elsewhere in the world 
• Share information about the project on a first-hand basis with a large number of relevant individuals and promote valuable discussions. 
• Lead to a heightened awareness of LIFE+ and Natura 2000 and Heritage Lottery Funding among delegates.

Programme for the conference

Day One – Wednesday 27th September 2017

Please ensure you are on St Mary’s quay for 13:30 to get the boat to St Agnes at 13:45 Conference hosts will meet you on the quay in ‘orange hats’.

14:10 Follow the ‘orange hats’ to the island hall

14:30 Arrive, tea and coffee.

Talks – part one

14:40 15:30 Day 1 talks, starting with ‘project so far’ from Project Manger

Field Trip – part one

15:30 Depart for field visit

15:40 Permanent monitoring stations with community members at Periglis

16:00 Walk to Troytown campsite, opportunity to support local business – ice-cream! Discussion with local business.

16:40 Visit Manx shearwater burrows and storm petrel nesting location (we will only see signs of the birds!)

17:00 Walk to Westward farm to meet local farmer – Discussion with local farmer.

17:15 Visit the ‘incursion shed’ - how the community and partners will keep the islands rat-free.

17:30 Free time, possible options - short walk to Gugh with guide, island pub the ‘Turks Head’

Evening event - Project celebration event with the community

18:30 Return to Island Hall, food and drink

19:00 Welcome and St Agnes School ‘Keep the islands rat-free‘song

19:20 Celebration event, Awards Ceremony

20:20 Closing words for Day 1, thanks to the community

20:30 Walk from Island hall to the quay

20:50 and 21:30 boats back to St Mary’s.

21:50 Back on St Marys (for B&B’s)

End of Day 1 

Day Two – Thursday 28th September 2017

Field Trip – Part Two

10:30 Meet at St Marys Church Hall, leave bags.

10:45 Walk on St Mary’s for overview of islands

13.00 Lunch at St Mary’s Church Hall (provided)

Talks – Part 2

13:00 Talks

14:50 Closing words

15:00 End of conference.