CWA Conference and AGM 2020: 2/3 October via Zoom
The 2020 CWA Conference is going online this year, with workshops, films and discussion groups. The Conference programme (see below) runs over 2 days: you are welcome to join us for the whole event or just for the sessions that interest you. There is no limit on the number of delegates from a CWA member community woodland group.
The event is free but you have the option when booking to make a donation to CWA to help contribute to our running costs.
To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cwa-annual-conference-2020-tickets-117736774863
The conference will incorporate the CWA AGM, at 4.10pm on Friday 2nd September
AGM booklet (agenda, proposals, proxy form, Director nomination form)
CWA Achievements and Performance 2019-20
Conference programme
Friday 2 October
2.00 Welcome by conference chair
2.10 Workshop 1: Managing community woods for biodiversity
In recent years there’s been a great deal of attention on the role of woodlands in tackling the climate emergency, with very significant funding directed to creating new woods – but we are also facing a biodiversity emergency, demanding better stewardship of existing habitats. Positive management practices in all types of woodland can enhance the biodiversity value of community woodlands and provide opportunities for greater public awareness and understanding of the ecological crisis.
Presenters: Gordon Gray Stephens (Native Woods Coop), Eleanor Harris (Confor), Gemma Jennings (Urban Roots), Emma Sheehy (Scottish Wildlife Trust).
3.10 Comfort break
3.15 Workshop 2: Fundraising
A perennial issue for many community woodland groups is how to raise funds to deliver small projects and cover basic costs such as accounts and insurance. Workshop speakers will present their experiences of a wide range of routes to fundraise for community woodlands, from grants and sales to social events and online platforms.
Presenters: Ann Clark (Aultnaskiach Dell SCIO), Jon Haydon (Moffat Community Woodlands), Jane Rosegrant (Corra Foundation), Iwan Thomas (The Vat Run).
4.10 CWA AGM
4.40 Close for the day
Saturday 3 October
10.00 Welcome back by conference chair
10.05 Multi-trails films followed by live Q&A. In this session we will show three short films (produced through the Multi-trails project) looking at aspects of trail management and use, followed by a discussion and Q&A session with site managers interviewed in the films, which are available on the CWA youtube channel:
Sustainable Visitor Management
Panel: Marco Baglioni (Abriachan Forest Trust), Adrian Clark (Evanton Wood Community Company), Julia Duncan (Atholl Estates), Paul Hibberd (Forestry and Land Scotland).
11.05 Comfort break
11.15 Break-out session: (topics will include Woodland Crofts, Small Woodland Certification, Land Rights and Responsibilities Protocols and Saving Scotland’s Rainforest).
11.40 Workshop 3: Learning from lockdown
The coronavirus pandemic has affected community woodlands in a wide range of ways, and stimulated diverse adaptations and initiatives. Presenters will reflect on how their groups coped, what they’ve learned and what the long term impacts might be.
Presenters: Alison MacLennan (Broadford and Strath Community Company), Shona Scatchard (Dunnet Forestry Trust), Ed Thorogood (Maryculter Woodlands Trust), Stuart Whittaker (Cassiltoun Housing Association).
12.35 Chair’s summary
12.40 Close