What is Wild?
Landscape Conservation Forum & S Yorks Biodiversity Research Group event 2025
Details
When? Wednesday 7 May 2025, 09:30 to 17:00
Where? Lees Hall Golf Club, Sheffield, S8 8LL
An exploration of science, history, & concepts
This 2-day event is to focus on a theme based around an understanding of ‘What is Wild? An exploration of science, history, and concepts'.
Wednesday 7 May: ‘What is Wild? An exploration of science, history, and concepts.'
The intention is to explore and discuss concepts such as ‘wildwood' and the balances of open savanna or closed forest in past landscapes. In particular, we wish to examine the influences of humans in shaping the vegetation in early landscapes (such as the Mesolithic and Neolithic) and the implications for contemporary management and wilding. This inevitably involves the bringing together of palaeo-ecology, palaeo-botany, landscape history, historical ecology, and more to consider the past, the present, and the future.
Thursday 8th May will switch the focus to ‘Welcome to the Urban Wild'.
The discussion moves to the present-day and the future as projects to re-wild in rural spaces sit alongside changes in the urban heartlands, and the expanding green-to-grey peri-urban zones and our urbanised human society.
Speakers include Ted Green and Jill Butler, Dr Keith Alexander, Dr Matthew Adeleye, Professor Peter Bridgewater, Professor Peter Rowley-Conway & Dr Michael J Allen.
For background reading please see the Adrian C. Newton article 'The return of the wildwood'
Cost and Booking
For more information visit the UKEconet webpage, advance booking through the online system is required.
RSB member*: £35.00 per day
Non-member: £80.00 per day
Non-member: £80.00 per day
Both bookings include refreshments & buffet lunch.
*full-time students, retirees, and others not in fulltime relevant employment may also qualify.
*full-time students, retirees, and others not in fulltime relevant employment may also qualify.
Attendees are also invited to a special free event on Wednesday evening 18.30pm - 20.30: ‘An evening with Mark Cocker presenting ‘What is Wild?' followed by a discussion led by Ted Green and Jill Butler', at the University of Sheffield Arts Tower, S3 7NA. This is included in the booking for conference delegates but is also open to those unable to attend the main event who will need to book via the webpage.
Getting there
The event takes place at the Lees Hall golf club in Sheffield, you can find information on how to get there on their webpage.
Contact
For more information about the content and booking, please contact Professor Ian Rotherham at syeconet@gmail.com or @IanThewildside.
Code of Conduct
By its Royal Charter, the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) has the powers to promote, establish and support standards of professional skill and conduct. The RSB is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in the life sciences, and supports diversity throughout the pipeline. We proactively promote a culture of inclusivity within our discipline and the broader STEM community. It is vital at any RSB event or meeting, that everyone attending is free from any form of harassment or discrimination, feels comfortable and safe, and has the opportunity for an enjoyable experience.