Grassland conservation conference 2017 - and a bit of trumpet-blowing

There's nothing like a bit of recognition to put a smile on your face!

Recently returned from the inaugural Grassland Conservation conference, hosted and organised by conservation research colleagues at Edge Hill university.  @upland_grazing  @biologyehu

Keynote speaker Richard Jefferson set the scene for a mixed group of people from widely varied backgrounds, and enthusiastic chairing successfully promoted relaxed discussions on topics from grassland invertebrate biodiversity, the need for a national ancient grasslands database, and how to improve interaction and engagement between academics, other researchers, practitioners and the public. 

Day Two comprised grassland management workshops - I opted for the upland calcareous one, involving a site visit to Ingleborough NNR in North Yorkshire, to see upland grassland management on limestone pavement sites in action; seems that cattle are more appropriate for this kind of habitat, as sheep graze-out the tasty forbs in the nooks and crevices of the pavement, but cattle tend to graze around the edge of the exposed limestone.

Mixed cattle including Red Poll and Shorthorns graze the upland calcareous grasslands at Ingleborough NNR

Limestone pavement provides sheltered nooks and crannies for rare and specialist plant species

  All in all, a really interesting and enjoyable couple of days, topped off by winning the poster prize, sponsored by the Sir George Stapledon Memorial Trust - forgive the rather mad expression, I can only say I was completely (but pleasantly) surprised!

Stephen Peel, Trustee of the Sir George Stapledon Memorial Trust, my poster, and a rather surprised me!

In my opinion, the conference was a great success, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in grassland conservation - either for research or practical management - and hope to attend future events.  A really comfortable and friendly conference indeed.