A hot topic to be discussed by world-renowned experts at the ‘Species Survival’ conference
The future of rapidly declining native white-clawed crayfish will be the subject of a two day conference at Bristol Zoo Gardens later this autumn.
In response to the continued, severe decline of the only species of crayfish native to the UK, the South West Crayfish Project will host the event, Species Survival: Securing white-clawed crayfish in a changing environment.
The conference comprises of a series of lectures and workshops; each lecture offering a unique opportunity to hear fascinating, first-hand experiences from world-renowned experts in crayfish conservation. The innovative workshops offer the chance to have a say in the production of a conference declaration outlining important, strategic measures urgently required to save this vulnerable species from extinction.
Key note addresses from renowned experts Professor David Rogers and Stephanie Peay underpin an exciting programme which focuses on strategic working for the benefit of white-clawed crayfish.
Amongst the wide variety of lectures highlighting crayfish conservation issues will be presentations by European/international experts Birgit Oidtmann, Catherine Souty-Grosset, Dr Julian Reynolds and Peter Sibley.
Neil Maddison, Head of Conservation Programmes at Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation said: ‘The rapid decline of native white-clawed crayfish is becoming more widely publicised not only in scientific communities, but also among local communities, and is of grave concern. The conference will highlight the need to take action now on a strategic, UK wide scale to protect this species. With the high calibre of knowledge and expertise that will be present at the conference, it should prove to be exciting and an absorbing event, and hopefully be a platform for preventing the extinction of one of our most globally important species.’
The conference Species Survival: Securing white-clawed crayfish in a changing environment’ will take place on November 16 and 17th, 2010. To find out more, or to register to attend, please contact mrees@bcsf.org.uk or visit www.bcsf.org.uk/bcsf
For more information about the South West Crayfish Project, please visit www.bcsf.org.uk/about/conservation/project or contact Maddy Rees by email on mrees@bcsf.org.uk
