News

CCF Summer Social

April 6th, 2011

This year’s Summer Social will take place at the University of Cambridge estate in Madingley from 17:30–23:00 on Wednesday 18th May. The University’s Forestry Consultants and Rural Surveyor will first lead a tour of Madingley Wood (an ancient woodland and SSSI) and the adjoining 800 Wood (planted in 2008 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the University). The event will then move on to Madingley Hall, where the garden team will lead a tour of the ten acres immediately surrounding the hall (including a two-acre meadow that records suggest dates back to 1871). During the garden visit, Dr. Alex Thornton will tell us about his current research in the garden and woods on “The evolution of corvid intelligence: development, mechanisms and function of cognitive abilities in wild Jackdaws”. The tours will be followed by a buffet supper, and (hopefully!) a session of moth-trapping in the hall gardens to round off the evening.

**This event is now SOLD OUT. Please only come along on Wednesday if you have already confirmed your booking with Holly.**

CCF contribution to Citizenship Day at local secondary school

March 10th, 2011

Following a call to the CCF network for help with an environment-themed Citizenship Day at a local secondary school, Malcolm Busby from Cambridgeshire Mammal Group, Pamela Abbott from Natural England and former colleague Ron Donaldson hosted workshops for Year 8 students (12–13 year olds) on various aspects of the environment, including the importance of local habitats for wildlife, and potential future environmental scenarios – good and bad. Ron has reported back on his experiences from the workshop on his blog.

In the session on the CCF Vision at the recent Symposium, various people expressed an interest in communicating conservation to the wider community, so if a similar opportunity arises again, please do consider whether you could get involved.

Conservation Ceilidh

February 9th, 2011

Back by popular demand, the CCF Ceilidh will be held on Friday 4th March at the Cambridge Rugby Club, Grantchester Road, Cambridge, CB3 9ED. A light buffet supper will be available from 19:00, with dancing from 20:00–23:00. Last year’s band, The Ceilidh Allstars, will be back to play the tunes and call the dances. There will also be a cash bar open all evening. Tickets are £12 (“early bird”; before 1st March), £17 (after 1st March) or £8 (under-16s). This price includes food, but not drinks on the night.

For further information or to book tickets contact Holly Barclay. The hall has limited capacity, so please book early to avoid disappointment!

CCI/CCF workshop on carbon management and offsetting

January 31st, 2011

A joint CCI/CCF workshop, aimed at progressing the thinking on reducing the carbon footprints of conservation organizations across Cambridge, was held at UNEP-WCMC on Thursday 9th December 2010, and attended by a variety of CCI/CCF organizations. The minutes of the meeting, which include a summary of the presentations and overall discussion, are now available here. It was agreed to set up a task force to consider the options and to draft guidance, which is looking to start the process in February. Contact Tristan Tyrrell for further information.

Successful CCF Annual Symposium 2011

January 18th, 2011

The 12th CCF Annual Symposium took place at the Judge Business School on Thursday 6th January, with nearly 100 registered participants. It included a stimulating programme of talks and a lively interactive session, as well as the usual intensive conversation and networking taking place throughout. Many thanks are due to the organising committee of Keith Virgo, Liz Campbell, Rebecca Lodge, Annabelle Cuttelod, to Lisa Harris for added support, and to CCI for making it possible for us to use the venue, which was generally agreed to be excellent.

Registration OPEN 12th CCF Annual Symposium

October 25th, 2010

CCF’s 12th Annual Symposium is coming up on Thurs 6th January 2011, at the Judge Business School – Registration Deadline 4th January.

The one day Annual Symposium provides an opportunity for member organisations to share topical aspects of their recent research and activities with the wider CCF membership and friends, and to highlight important issues for the coming year.  The 2011 Symposium will include an opening presentation by Simon Stuart, IUCN Species Survival Commission and a wide range of other talks and speakers. An updated  programme and booking form are provided in the latest circular; abstracts of the scheduled presentations are available here. If you would like to attend the Symposium, please complete and send the booking form in the circular. The fee for registration after 10th December is  £40 per person; no registrations can be accepted after 4th January or on the door. Payment by online transfer is preferred; instructions are in the circular.

Newsletter

The Forum produces a monthly electronic informal newsletter for its members and friends to publicise talks and seminars with a conservation focus, disseminate conservation news and advertise job opportunities.

Information for inclusion in the next newsletter should be sent to the Newsletter Editor by the Friday preceding its circulation (the first Monday of each month).

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Council meetings

The next Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th January, 13:00, at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. Minutes from the last Council meeting are available here.