The Nature Recovery Conference Wales will highlight remarkable contributions to conservation.
On 14-15 September 2024, Folly Farm will co-host a Nature Recovery Conference with The Bug Farm, St Davids. Nature Recovery Conference Wales will be an opportunity for conservationists across the country to come together, highlighting remarkable contributions to conservation from a variety of individuals, NGOs, zoos, and charities.
Registration now open
You can now register for the conference and Bug Farm tour and lunch. A limited amount of accommodation at Folly Farm can be booked at a discounted rate on a first come, first served basis by ringing our reservations team on 01834 812731 before 31 May 2024 when our accommodation will be released on general sale. More accommodation options can be found at the bottom of this page.
Conference Aims and Objectives
Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in Europe and it’s widely accepted a critical juncture has been reached on the state of our natural environment. In Wales alone, the 2023 State of Nature Report found that of 3,897 species, 18% are threatened with extinction. Since 1994, the abundance of land and freshwater species has fallen on average fallen by 20% across Wales.
The challenges around the nature emergency cannot be solved in isolation, they require an integrated response. National and local conservationists are invited to gather on 14-15 September 2024 to present and discuss a range of initiatives to reverse the decline of nature in Wales at a conference hosted by Folly Farm, a zoo and rare-breed farm attraction in Pembrokeshire. The conference will explore the collaborative action needed to help nature recover.
- Highlight some key nature recovery projects occurring across Wales and the UK.
- Offer a professional networking opportunity to share ideas, stimulate communication and encourage partnership opportunities.
- Understand the different approaches that organisations undertake a conservation project and how these different approaches might be helpful to other projects.
- Highlight the work of zoological collections across the UK and discover how time, expertise, and funding can aid native species recovery programmes.
This two-day meeting will represent a diverse range of interest groups including conservation charities, zoological organisations, community renaturing groups, conservation and reintroduction specialists, wildlife groups, landowners, eco-tourism centres, higher colleges, universities, and government bodies working with the environment. The conference will also be of huge benefit to conservation students and educators to demonstrate the work that is being done across the country.
There will be presentations from a wide range of speakers exploring how to recover threatened and iconic animal and plant species through species reintroduction, community engagement and citizen science, providing more habitat and wildlife corridors. There will be opportunities to visit local renaturing initiatives and the second day of the conference will include an exclusive tour of The Bug Farm, in St Davids, an innovative and unique research and visitor centre, 100-acre farm, and nature reserve.
Most importantly the conference will act as a catalyst for the creation of new project ideas. Nature restoration cannot be tackled single handed – alone we are strong, together we are stronger.
Conference steering committee members
The conference steering committee is made up of conservationists from across Wales and the UK. They have been working hard to create a conference that will help to inspire collaborative action in the face of a nature emergency.
- Jack Gradidge, Conservation Officer, Folly Farm
- Sarah Beynon, Founding Director, Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm
- Lucy Groves, UK Programmes Manager, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Professor Carl Jones MBE, Chief Scientist, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Laura Gardner, Director of Conservation, Wildwood Trust
- Kevin Caley, Ecologist, Caley Consulants, Llanteg and Amroth Renaturing Community
- Tom Bailey, Origin Vets, Llanteg and Amroth Renaturing Community
Preliminary agenda
We have a wonderful line up of inspiring guest speakers from all over the UK. Additional guest speakers are to be confirmed, a final agenda will be sent to delegates. Please note: all talk titles and times are subject to change.
Sunday Afternoon – Exclusive tour of The Bug Farm in St Davids with Dr Sarah Beynon. Sarah will be introducing the latest plans underway to open a Nature Recovery Centre in Spring 2025, an innovative centre that will explore the past, present and future of our relationship with farming, food and nature recovery. She will also be explaining the numerous research projects underway on the site, a tour not to be missed. Due to limited space, this can be booked separately and includes a buffet lunch.
Accommodation
Folly Farm is located on the edge of the village known as Begelly. The area is a hit with tourists, so we are fortunate to have a range of different accommodation options close by.
We have a range of accommodation options at the on-site holiday park, with exclusive discount available for conference delegates. To receive exclusive discounted rates please book by calling the main office on 01834 812731. Our on-site accommodation is blocked out from general sale until the 31 May 2024, so book early to avoid disappointment. Some of our accommodation options are great for sharing with other delegates. Touring caravan – if you’d like to bring your own caravan, we have super-sized, hardstanding 12m x 10m pitches with electric hook up. Modern toilet and shower block. Camping – Bring a tent and pitch up on our campsite with stunning views of the Pembrokeshire countryside. Showman’s Wagons – Slightly bigger than a shepherd’s hut, these beautiful wagons have two bedrooms, sleeping two adults and two young children. Fairground lodges – These fairground themed lodges have three bedrooms, sleeping up to six people (one double room and two twin rooms). These include a decked area with a hot tub. Great for sharing with other friends attending the conference. Simba Lodges – Our lion themed lodges have 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 5 adults. One double room, one single room (with additional children’s bunkbeds) and one twin room. This lodge includes a decked area with a hot tub. Kifaru Lodges – These rhino themed lodges sleep up to 6 adults and have one double room and two twin rooms. Bifold doors open out onto a private decked area with hot tub and views into the black rhino enclosure.
Other accommodation close to Folly Farm
Begelly Breaks: https://begellybreaks.co.uk/
The Manian: https://www.the-manian.co.uk/
Begelly Arms: https://www.begellyarms.co.uk/
The Buttles Holiday Park: https://thebuttlescaravanpark.com/
Langdon Farm Guesthouse: http://www.stayinpembrokeshire.co.uk/
Green Sheep Camping (eco-campsite and Airbnb options): https://www.greensheepcamping.co.uk/
Nearby Saundersfoot and Tenby also offer superb accommodation options on the coast.
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