Practical Rewilding - the science and application of rewilding principles

A 2 day course giving participants a better understanding of rewilding, specifically for those seeking to learn the integral components of this approach to nature conservation. Set at Rewilding Coombeshead in Devon, the course provides attendees with a successful example of how the application of rewilding can be achieved using pragmatic solutions.

The course includes an evening Beaver watching experience and re-wilding tour of Coombeshead, with a chance to see some of the rewilding helpers such as beaver, wild pigs, ponies, and water buffalo. There will also be an opportunity to see first-hand the techniques used at Coombeshead to ‘rewild’ and restore the ecosystem.

Accommodation is not included within the course price, however we offer beautiful Shepherd’s huts & camping which overlook the re-wilding area.

Tutors: Derek Gow and his team. Derek is the leading authority on beavers in the UK, and the architect behind much of the work to re-introduce them to the wild. He has also played a significant role in reintroduction of the water vole and the white stork, and is currently working on wild cat reintroduction. To help make a difference, Derek is rewilding much of his 300 acre farm in Devon, and so has first hand experience of how this can be achieved. Derek and his team will deliver the course and be on hand for anything you may need during your stay!

Course Details

Rewilding aims to help nature to flourish across a better-connected landscape with minimal human intervention. It aims to repair the functionality of degraded ecosystems through reintroduction of selected species and their accompanying ecological processes to build self-sustaining, resilient environments. The benefits of rewilding have been evidenced across the country and include carbon capture, reversing biodiversity loss, helping wildlife adapt to climate change, and improving our health and wellbeing.

The origin of the word ‘Rewilding’ was coined in 1990 as a conservation method based on ‘cores, corridors and carnivores’, however in the UK, we are far from reintroducing apex carnivores such as the once native lynx and wolf. So, how can we ‘rewild' in the UK? This two-day course introduces the history of rewilding across America and Europe, with an overview of projects across the UK. It provides an insight into rewilding techniques adopted by different organisations based on soil type, previous land management and space, introduction of keystone species & challenges in terms of success and failures these projects have faced.

We will discuss the benefits and problems with rewilding, other solutions (such as regenerative farming) that need to adapt alongside this approach to tackle climate change, increase biodiversity, improve soil health and store carbon, whilst protecting the farming economy.

The course will cover the following topics:

• What is Rewilding and where did this term come from

• History of Rewilding

• Rewilding in America and Europe

• Rewilding in UK; projects, challenges and successes of biodiversity increases and ecosystem restoration

• The future of rewilding; actions and approaches to be undertaken alongside rewilding to improve and guarantee success for the long term

• How you can be a part of this

This workshop is suitable for anyone with an interest in nature conservation, including conservationists, ecologists (particularly with regard to biodiversity net gain and designing offset areas), land managers, owners & environmentalists.

Schedule

Thursday 11th July:

• 2pm: Afternoon taught session

• 7.30 pm: Beaver watching

Friday 8th July:

• 9am: Second taught session

• 11:30am: Re-wilding tour

• 1pm: Lunch

Booking Details

You will be greeted on arrival by our ecologists. Lunch will be provided following the Re-wilding tour on the Friday with vegetarian and vegan options available.

Stay with us

We highly recommend staying overnight in our beautiful Shepherd huts or campsite available on site. You could also make a weekend of it - extend your stay to enjoy the tranquillity of the site and explore the local area. You can book accommodation here

What to bring

• Snacks and water

• Notebook

• Wellies

Lunch will be provided following the re-wilding tour on the second day to set you up for your journey home.

Directions

Those who have booked hut accommodation starting Wednesday should just follow arrival instructions as normal on our arrival emails. Those arriving in huts on Thursday or just arriving for the course should should come to Coombeshead Rewilding (post code PL16 0JS, map and details on www.rewildingcoombeshead.co.uk). This postcode will not take you to the exact entrance! There is a photo of the entrance below.

Links to exact spot:

https://w3w.co/justifies.soldiers.romance

https://goo.gl/maps/qfVU1M1VDDoNj4yq8

Please inform us of any medical requirements/conditions we should be aware of prior to the course.