Dear All,
What would you think of us proposing a Thematic session on Bog Restoration
and Management at the next BES, 5-7 Oxford Sept. 2006? There have
recently been many projects funded that could fall under this topic. The
advantage of the Thematic sessions is that the BES covers the cost of
inviting an International guest speaker. If there is enough interest I
will put a proposal forward to the BES. Please get back to me asap
including any suggestions for a guest speaker and other possible speakers.
To ba able to submit a proposal we would need to more clearly define the
topic e.g. whether it was about restoring hydrological function and
Sphagnum growth or mainly on species conservations. The topic would
depend on the responses I get from you. We will then need a title, the
name of the principal speaker plus a provision talk title, a brief summary
of the subject areas and details of how we propose to attract other
speakers for the session or a list of other speakers we will approach
If there was enough interest I would be very willing to organise a field
visit to Wetland sites just before the Oxford BES meeting or during the
Wednesday afternoon which is clear of presentations to allow other
activities. Possible sites would be RSPB Otmoor Nature Reserve, Cothill
fen (SAC) and a valley mire in Snelsmore common. Again could you please
get back to me asap if interested or if you have any comments. Anything
can be included in these visits including help with i.d. of Sphagnum
species, invertebrates etc. as long as I know in advance to make sure the
expertise is on hand.
Several good oral presentations were given at the Wetlands session at the
BES in Hatfield this September. The audience for the first paper was high
but then maybe due to a cancelled paper people left the session and only
very few returned. There were also very few people also at the MRG AGM
and no field visit was organised before the meeting due to the meetings
location. It would be good to have a more active BES this coming year.
Best wishes,
Deborah
PS Please do use the mail-base for any help or comments.
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