Join us for this year’s Annual Forum focusing on climate change. We’ll be looking at the impacts of climate change on the North Wessex Downs, and positive solutions for adaptation and reducing emissions.

Registration from 9.30am
Main programme starts: 10.00am
A light lunch will be served

Venue: Hungerford Town Hall
22 High St, Hungerford RG17 0NF

£15 for tickets to contribute towards catering.  Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.

The morning will include an update on the work of the North Wessex Downs team and our partners, followed by presentations from external expert speakers on climate change science, implications for the North Wessex Downs and approaches to landscape adaptation. We will then have the opportunity to discuss the issues.

After lunch, we will hear from partners and community groups about positive solutions, followed by a feedback session and a Q&A. The formal sessions will finish at 3.40 with tea and coffee served after this for those who would like to stay and chat.

Full programme to follow.

Book tickets

Programme summary

09:30  Registration and refreshments

10:00  Welcome and Introduction to the day

Gill Haggarty, Chair, North Wessex Downs National Landscape Council of Partners

10:10  North Wessex Downs: the year in review

Henry Oliver, Director, North Wessex Downs NL

10:25  The science and impacts of climate change

Clare Downing, Climate Co-ordinator, National Landscapes Association

10:40   North Wessex Downs climate change assessment

Chris Panter, Footprint Ecology

10:55  Landscape Observatory: Climate Smart Adaptive Management for Protected Landscapes

Simon Geikie, Director, Landscape Observatory

11:10  Introduction to Resist Accept Direct (RAD) workshop session

11.15  Break

11:45  RAD in practice workshop session: exploring landscape decisions in the North Wessex Downs

An interactive session exploring how the Resist, Accept, Direct approach could help think through landscape change and management decisions over time. Using real examples from the North Wessex Downs, we’ll explore different possible futures, consider how decisions might change over time, and share experiences and ideas.

13:05  Lunch

14:00  Quick Fire Session: short and inspiring presentations demonstrating local action

14:30  Workshop feedback

15:00  Panel and Q&A

15:30  Next steps, thanks and forum close

Gill Haggarty

15:45  Tea and chat

16:30 End