Winter Talks

Our next talk will take place via Zoom on: Tuesday 1 February 2022 at 7.30 p.m. when Stuart Bence, one of our young Committee members will talk about BRINGING WILDLIFE TO YOUR GARDEN.

The booking link will appear HERE as soon as possible.

PAST TALKS 2021/22 SEASON

Tuesday 5 October 2021

Neil Kitching

CARBON AND REWILDING

Neil is Energy and Water Specialist at Scottish Enterprise and will be speaking in a personal capacity.

He is a geographer, author and energy specialist and will present on the links between climate change and nature. In his book, Carbon Choices, he identifies the 10 building blocks that society needs to adopt to tackle the climate crises - such as sensible economics, taking a long term approach, innovation, education and the role of community. But most of these also apply to our nature and biodiversity crises. Neil will explore the links between carbon and nature and question our love affair with the typical highland scenery. Is rewilding the answer? Neil's talk will be illustrated with his photographs from Scotland and overseas.

Tuesday 2 November at 7.30 p.m.

Jack Wooton, Freshwater Ecologist and Eel Specialist, Forth Rivers Trust

THE FORGOTTEN FISH

Jack has worked in Freshwater Conservation for a number of years now with a particular focus on rare and unloved species. He founded the Forgotten Fish Project which is part of the Forth Rivers Trust that highlights the species which get little attention and even less conservation focus. As well as freshwater, Jack has worked with orangutan and other primates, but is always drawn back to water!

Please note that it is imperative to book in advance. Also please note that ideally you should start to link into the meeting in good time, and no later than10 - 15 minutes before the start, as the joining link will be locked once the meeting has started.

Tuesday 7 December at 7.30 p.m.

Chris Cathrine, Director of Caledonian Conservation Ltd and Vice Chair of SWT Stirling & Clacks

THE ROLE OF AN ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANT AND THE PLANNING SYSTEM

Chris has gained considerable experience of ecology and where it fits into legislation, policy, and planning, gained during 14 years as an ecological consultant, and four years working for NGOs and local authority. He has also authored three papers on devolved environmental legislation, written guidance, informed policy, and worked on all stages of developments. With this background he has engaged with planning from a range of angles, which has given him a broader understanding of the systems in Scotland, and how best to engage with them to benefit biodiversity.

Tuesday 1 December 2020

Nature Friendly Farming at Argaty Red Kites

Tom Bowser, Head Ranger at Argaty Red Kites

Tuesday 5 January 2021

From Magic to Medicine: Scottish Vernacular Plant Medicine

Gregory Kenicer, Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Tuesday 2 February 2021

The Impact of Gardening on Wild Plant Populations

Roy Sexton, Past Chair, SWT Stirling and Clacks

7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 2 March

Bogs for Bugs - An introduction to bogs and the specialist invertebrates you find on them together with the conservation and restoration of peatlands around Falkirk.

Melissa Shaw, a member of our Committee and the Peatland Conservation Officer at Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust