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A decade of dedication to wader conservation
The Lough Erne Wildfowler’s Council (LEWC) celebrated ten years of impactful conservation work in Northern Ireland in November by organising a wader conservation conference, called ‘Working Together for Waders’.
This milestone event, a unique blend of reflection, education and collaboration, took place on a cold, windy and wet day, against the picturesque backdrop of Lusty Beg Resort in Fermanagh. To say it was a success would be an understatement.
The LEWC wader conference location
The LEWC has been quietly making waves in the conservation world for almost a decade. Its community-based wader conservation projects have been the backbone of efforts to protect the delicate balance of nature surrounding this stunning landscape.
The choice of location was not arbitrary. Lusty Beg Resort stands proudly beside the initial conservation project site, symbolising the roots of LEWC’s journey. It was the perfect venue to bring together like-minded individuals and respected organisations passionate about protecting our breeding waders and their habitats.
More than just a commemoration
The conference was more than a commemoration. It was a platform to showcase the success stories and lessons learned over the past decade. More than 120 attendees were treated to a diverse array of presentations, showcasing local, national, and international wader conservation initiatives. However, the spotlight was on the collaborative efforts that have proven instrumental in the positive outcomes witnessed in this part of the world.
One of the key messages highlighted throughout the day was the power of partnerships. Genuine collaborations across diverse organisations have been the driving force behind LEWC’s accomplishments. Some of these involved local farmers and support from various funders, including the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, BASC Wildlife Fund, the Department of Infrastructure, and Northern Ireland’s Environment Agency. By bringing together experts from Ireland, the UK and Europe, the conference highlighted the importance of unity in addressing the complex challenges faced by our breeding wader populations.
Importance of multi-national partnership
The line-up of speakers consisted of seasoned conservation experts including Mary Colwell – author, producer and campaigner for nature; Patrick Laurie – author, hill farmer and conservationist; Dr Andrew Hoodless – director of research at GWCT; Dr David Scallan – secretary general for FACE (the federation of European hunting organisations); and several others, all sharing their insights, findings and success stories. Their presentations delved into the intricacies of wader conservation, but also shed light on the broader implications for biodiversity. If we create, maintain or enhance the habitat, and manage the pests and predators, amazing things can happen, not just for the target species – in this case waders -but the ecosystem as a whole.
The conference provided a fantastic opportunity for those attending to connect, exchange ideas (and business cards, of course), and forge new prospective partnerships. As the sun (what little there was of it that day) set over Lower Lough Erne, it symbolised not just the end of a great day, but the dawn of the next decade of conservation effort for the LEWC. New partnerships, friendships and projects were developed and the positive conversations went on long into the night.
The wader conference – a testament of success
LEWC’s breeding wader conference stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passionate people set their sights high, work with local communities and the right organisations, and come together for a common cause. It was a celebration of a decade of dedication, a showcase of successful conservation models and a call to action for the future. As the LEWC looks towards the horizon of more collaborative conservation, the shores of Lower Lough Erne provide not just a picturesque setting, but also a profound reminder of the impact that can be made when we work together for the wellbeing of our natural world.
The LEWC will be leaving behind an amazing conservation legacy; what’s yours going to be?
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Chris Wright
Lancashire born and bred, Chris is BASC’s wildfowling advisor. Now calling Monmouthshire home, Chris exemplifies an unyielding interest and dedication to field sports, with a particular focus on the exhilarating pursuit of wildfowl along the nation’s coastline.
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