RESTORING WILD RIVERS
Rewilding Learning Day
Join river ecologist, Duncan Pepper, for an informative and inspiring introduction to the principles of river and wetland restoration.
WHAT TO EXPECT
'The health of Scotland's rivers and all the life within them, is directly dependent on the health of the landscapes through which they flow.'
Freshwater is our lifeblood and yet globally, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Rivers too are under threat - for centuries, Scotland's rivers have been straightened, confined and tidied, leading to most of our rivers performing far below their ecological potential.
But today, as climate breakdown impacts on species like Atlantic salmon, rivers are being rewiggled, deadwood is being reintroduced and artificial barriers are being removed, returning rivers to their natural meandering course, diversifying flows and restoring connectivity from source to sea.
This course will help you understand the complex needs of rivers and the urgent need to restore natural river processes for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
This Learning Day will cover:
- What is 'Stage Zero' river restoration and why does it matter?
- Why are floodplains and buffers important?
- What trees bring most benefit to watercourses and how to protect them?
- How to create a functioning leaky dam.
- How to get started on your own riverwoods journey.
This Learning Day is for you if:
- you are student, graduate or interested in pursuing a career within the rewilding/nature restoration sector.
- you are a landowner or land manager interested in learning about river restoration and riparian habitats.
- you are a conservation/rewilding professional wishing to upskill.
DATES
| DATES | GUIDE | STATUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATES: 17 Jul 2024 | GUIDES: Duncan Pepper | STATUS: Fully Booked | JOIN RESERVE LIST |
| DATES: 18 Oct 2024 | GUIDES: Duncan Pepper | STATUS: Open | BOOK NOW |
PRICE
£75
PRICE INCLUDES
- Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival
- All presentations, excursions and take-home resources
- A private link to our feature-length documentary, Riverwoods
- Certification for course attendance
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Travel to/from the course
- Lunch (please bring a packed lunch)
- Personal expenses
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Timings
Arrival from 9.30am for tea/coffee/biscuits, for a 10am start. The day will wrap up around 3.30pm.
How do I get there?
By car:
The venue is the Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm, Aberfeldy, PH15 2JN.
What 3 Words: ///croak.origins.worldwide
Via Aberfeldy:
Come off the A9 at Ballinluig and follow signs for Aberfeldy. Drive into and through the town centre to the crossroads with traffic lights (at the Black Watch Pub), turn right and follow the B846 over Wades Bridge. Take the first right at the brown tourism sign: "Glassie Farm Bunkhouse 2 miles", just before the Aileen Craggan Tourism Sign Aberfeldy. Follow the road for aproximately 800 meters, you will then see a yellow sign on the right hand side for "The Bunkhouse". Turn left at this sign and follow the signs up the track for approximately 1.5 miles... watching out for Red Squirrels, Deer and Pheasants en-route. There are mile signs at 1.4 miles / 1 mile / 0.5 miles.
Via Strathtay:
Come off the A9 at Ballinluig. Follow A827 signs for Grandtully. Take 1st right over bridge at Grandtully. Follow road to left up to Strathtay Post Office & Stores located at the T-junction. Turn left in the direction of Weem - about 5 miles. The Bunkhouse sign is 4.7 miles down this road. Go past: Edradynate > Cluny House Gardens > Tombuie and the Yellow Bunkhouse sign is on the left hand side. Turn right at this sign and follow the signs up the track for approximately 1.5 miles... watching out for Red Squirrels, Deer and Pheasants en-route. There are mile signs at 1.4 miles / 1 mile / 0.5 miles.
What size are your groups?
Our Learning Days are for groups of up to 15 participants.
Is the course suitable for me?
Some of the day will be spent outdoors, sometimes walking over rough ground. Please wear appropriate clothing.
If you want to discuss suitability further, please get in touch with our Rewilding Training Lead.
How does my custom benefit rewilding?
After covering the necessary costs associated with delivering the course, we are left with a surplus which, unlike a commercial tour operator with shareholders, is reinvested into our rewilding work.
Do local people benefit from my booking?
Yes. We are committed to developing nature-based business models that show how a landscape rich in nature can also support vibrant communities. Your custom allows us to train and employ local staff and to purchase supplies and services from local businesses. In doing so, we can demonstrate that rewilding is an economically viable land use in Scotland.
Venue
The Learning Day will be run from The Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm in Strathtay. Active farming ceased here over a decade ago, and commercial activity now focuses on self-catering accommodation. The owners are committed to promoting community access, linking up fragmented habitats and creating more space for water and native woodlands.
