Sharing Good Practice 2008 - 2009 

Sun 24 Feb 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Seminar for Planning Students Battleby, Perth
	Effective planning creates sustainable places and cares for the natural environment. Using a blend of presentations, themed sessions and access to a panel of experienced professionals, student planners are encouraged to explore the key issues and opportunities for safeguarding the environment. The event aims to influence those who will one day, through the decisions they make, have a critical role in determining the impact of planning on Scotland’s natural heritage. Priority will be given to those following RTPI and Landscape Institute accredited courses. This event is often oversubscribed, so early booking through universities is recommended.
Tue 26 Feb 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Students' Seminar: Planning, Landscape and the Natural Heritage SNH, Battleby, Nr Perth
	One of the primary objectives of the Planning system is to maintain and enhance the quality of the natural heritage and this event is for students who will one day play a pivotal role in achieving this through the decisions they will take. Through presentations, case studies and workshops, we will explore the key issues and opportunities for safeguarding and enhancing Scotland’s natural heritage through the planning system. Priority will be given to those following RTPI and Landscape Institute accredited courses, and early booking through universities is recommended.
Wed 5 Mar 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Leading Edge Battleby, Perth
	Leading Edge goes from strength to strength! At this lively and very popular annual event, environmental educators get together to share ideas and inspiration for practical activities that promote outdoor learning and first-hand experience of the natural world.
Thu 6 Mar 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Leading Edge Pitlochry Festival Theatre
	Fossicking about for rocks and fossils can be great fun and there are some excellent resources and activities available to get people excited about geology. This year’s Leading Edge event is an opportunity for environmental education practitioners to learn more about rocks and fossils, share ideas on how to raise awareness of their significance, and consider how they may be collected responsibly, using the new Scottish Fossil Code.
Wed 26 Mar 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Managing Visitors on Sensitive Natural Heritage Sites SNH, Battleby, Nr Perth
	Outdoor Access Event. Scotland's natural heritage includes its plants, birds and animals, landforms and geology, natural beauty and amenity. Our enjoyment of outdoor recreation, with its important cultural and economic dimensions, is also dependent on the quality of the natural heritage. This workshop will examine ways to balance visitor and natural heritage needs on sites sensitive to disturbance from recreational pressures, including how to monitor recreational use and its impact on the natural heritage. We will also look at how to plan positive visitor management approaches. This event is for access officers, land managers and their advisers, representatives of recreational bodies and other users.
Thu 24 Apr 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Inspired by nature Falkland, Fife
	How do we find inspiration? This event, led by Gordon MacLellan (‘Creeping Toad’), will focus on ‘hands on’ creative activities to foster our own excitement and sense of connection as interpreters, educators and workshop leaders. These same activities can be used with groups, offering new ways of inspiring the people we work with and developing different relationships between public, place and ourselves as professional environmentalists.
Tue 29 Apr 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Going wild again! Loch Rannoch, Perthshire
	Informal camping is enjoyed by a wide spectrum of people along quiet roadsides, loch shores and river banks. Although this type of camping is lawful within the exercise of access rights, some people are claiming access rights in defense of unacceptable behaviour and overlooking their responsibilities. Evidence of litter, human waste, poorly controlled fires, vegetation damage and vandalism is contributing to problems for local people and land managers, and worsening the environment to be enjoyed by others. This workshop will share experiences of management options, awareness-raising messages and communication methods aimed at campers who are neglecting their responsibilities. The focus will be on how to target small informal groups who go social camping mainly congregating to drink and party.
Wed 14 May 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Adapting to climate change - taking action to safeguard Scotland's natural heritage Edinburgh
	What practical management action can we take to prepare for and adapt to Scotland’s changing climate ? How can we develop an informed response on which to make decisions? This event will look at case studies, management techniques and information sources being developed to support action for adaptation and will highlight the role a healthy environment can play in helping to safeguard us from the consequences of climate change. The event will focus on how we can help nature adapt, at the same time as exploring how nature can help people adapt to a changing climate. It will be relevant for land managers and their advisors, local authority planners and environmental managers, conservation managers, policy officers from NGOs, and policy and advisory officers from governmental organisations. See also 15 May: these linked events stand alone, but there is a discount for attending both days.
Tue 20 May 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Changing horizons - a fresh look at landscape interpretation Near Aviemore
	Great interpretation has always involved more than snappy text and eye-catching illustrations. This two day workshop led by Susan Cross will investigate the other crucial ingredients that combine to make landscape interpretation meaningful and memorable. Visiting a number of sites, both urban and rural, within the Cairngorms National Park, we will also explore how different interpretive media themselves impact on the landscape. This event will be of interest to anyone involved in planning, designing or advising on landscape interpretation. Please note: this is not an interpretive planning workshop and all participants should be familiar with basic interpretive planning principles.
Wed 28 May 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Sustainable places and sustainable development Edinburgh
	Event presentations: Sustainable places and sustainable development This event is for the Chief Executive and Senior Management levels of government agencies, local authorities, business and the voluntary sector. It will make sense of the complex cross-sectoral relationships and interdependencies required to make sustainable places. Being realistic about the role of policy and the role of people in making sustainable places work, real examples will be used to identify barriers and find opportunities to put policies into practice and make successful sustainable places.
Tue 24 Jun 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Walkies Taking the lead for closer control Battleby, Perth
	Can you teach old dogs new tricks? All dog owners should know what the Scottish Outdoor Access Code means for them. We've got a host of fresh and innovative ideas on how to influence dog owners who can sometimes forget their responsibilities. Evidence suggests there is increasing cause for concern about dog fouling, worrying and attacking of farm animals and disturbance to sensitive natural heritage interests such as ground-nesting birds. If you’d like to help dog owners to take closer control of their pets, this workshop will help you take the lead.
Wed 3 Sep 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Flying Flocks Cupar, Fife
	Grazing has played a key role in creating some of the most valued landscapes and habitats in Britain – spectacular wildflower meadows, heathlands and pasture woodlands. Conservation organisations and private landowners often struggle to maintain these special sites in good condition.The Scottish Wildlife Trust ‘Flying Flock’ travels around SWT reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, grazing to maintain biodiversity. Using the flock as an example, this event will combine talks, workshops and site visits to look at conservation grazing. We will examine breed selection, practicalities of running a flock, marketing and finance, and how to assess whether your grazing regimes are successful. This event will appeal to anyone with an interest in conservation grazing.
Tue 9 Sep 2008	Sharing Good Practice: assessing the impacts of wind farm developments on birds Battleby, Perth
	Good quality, clear ornithological chapters in Environmental Statements greatly assist decision making, both for those within the renewables industry and for those who have a role in assessing applications where impacts on birds may be an issue. This event will cover the entire process from designing effective surveys through to the structure and design of Environmental Statement chapters. Issues that will also be discussed include when to consider ‘likely significant effect’ on notified features of Special Protection Areas, how to determine the magnitude and significance of impacts (including potential cumulative effects arising from other proposals), and how to assess the impacts on favourable conservation status of birds in the wider countryside.
Thu 18 Sep 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Managing inspiring school visits on your site Vane Farm, Loch Leven, by Kinross
	This event is aimed at managers of National and Local Nature Reserves and other natural heritage sites who wish to work more effectively with schools. Using case studies, we will consider what A Curriculum for Excellence might mean for your work, and look at ways of working with teachers to develop programmes, resources and Continuing Professional Development sessions. We will explore ways of supporting and encouraging teachers to use sites independently, and discuss the issues this can raise and how they might be overcome.
Tue 23 Sep 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Aquaculture and the landscape Battleby, Perth
	This event will examine the landscape and visual issues concerned with the development of fishfarming on Scotland's coasts. Starting at the strategic scale, we will look at new guidance on how to assess the capacity of different landscapes to accommodate aquaculture developments. We will then explore in detail how to assess the landscape and visual impacts of individual developments and how to locate and design them appropriately, working through examples and sharing experience. The day is primarily aimed at planners, developers and landscape architects.
Thu 2 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Working with rivers Dingwall
	This workshop will introduce physical processes that naturally occur in rivers, how they are linked to river habitats, the impacts upon river habitat that may result from channel modifications, and will explore sustainable and sympathetic river management practices. Through seminar sessions, case studies and a site visit, we will look at a range of river management issues and the success or failure of different forms of intervention. The workshop is aimed at local authorities, conservation bodies, fisheries boards and trusts, land managers and engineers.
Tue 7 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Planning for public access with land management Lerwick, Shetland
	It’s not easy to find time to work out how best to plan for and integrate recreation and access with land management operations. A planned approach can assist land managers to continue earning their living from the countryside whilst supporting recreational users in exercising their right of responsible access. These practical half-day workshops delivered by Vyv Wood-Gee are for land managers including farmers, crofters, estate managers and their advisers. They aim to help land managers decide how best to manage public access on their land using available guidance and apply this to a range of situations. Responsibilities regarding liability and health and safety will also be discussed.
Thu 9 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Turning Existing Spaces into Sustainable Places: the role of planning and infrastructure Battleby, Perth
	view the event summary Using examples from around the UK and from Europe, this event will use case studies to give practitioners a fresh perspective on how to create sustainable places. There will be a particular emphasis on working with existing places and communities. This event will demonstrate recent practice in sustainable spatial planning, transport planning and water management. It will discuss experience and identify sources of best practice. view the event summary This event is aimed at planners, engineers, architects, landscape architects, health managers and the building industry within the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Wed 22 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Biodiversity at the chalkface (primary level) Battleby, Perth
	Become an inspirational teacher and bring Science and Planet Earth to life! These events, aimed at student teachers, bring together practising teachers, pupils and other experienced education professionals to demonstrate techniques to fire you and your pupils with enthusiasm for the environment. Come along and see how Health-Promoting Schools, Eco Schools and Education for Sustainable Development are all related to your teaching within A Curriculum for Excellence. Overcome some of the challenges – make the most of cross-curricular opportunities and take your learning outdoors. We anticipate a heavy demand for these events, therefore early booking through universities is essential.
Thu 23 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Biodiversity at the chalkface (secondary level) Battleby, Perth
	Become an inspirational teacher and bring Science and Planet Earth to life! These events, aimed at student teachers, bring together practising teachers, pupils and other experienced education professionals to demonstrate techniques to fire you and your pupils with enthusiasm for the environment. Come along and see how Health-Promoting Schools, Eco Schools and Education for Sustainable Development are all related to your teaching within A Curriculum for Excellence. Overcome some of the challenges – make the most of cross-curricular opportunities and take your learning outdoors. We anticipate a heavy demand for these events, therefore early booking through universities is essential.
Tue 28 Oct 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Planning for public access with land management Dumfries
	It’s not easy to find time to work out how best to plan for and integrate recreation and access with land management operations. A planned approach can assist land managers to continue earning their living from the countryside whilst supporting recreational users in exercising their right of responsible access. These practical half-day workshops delivered by Vyv Wood-Gee are for land managers including farmers, crofters, estate managers and their advisers. They aim to help land managers decide how best to manage public access on their land using available guidance and apply this to a range of situations. Responsibilities regarding liability and health and safety will also be discussed.
Tue 11 Nov 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Controlling invasive non-native species in freshwaters and wetlands Battleby, Perth
	Non-native species pose an increasing threat to our freshwaters, wetlands and adjacent land. This event is an opportunity for those who manage these habitats to discuss successful control methods and strategies for dealing with invasive plants and animals. Through presentations and case studies we will consider the spread of non-native species and their impacts on biodiversity, the efficacy of control methods and examples of successful control strategies. Workshop topics will include identifying species likely to spread to Scotland in the future, developing rapid responses to newly arrived species and the legislative framework for control.
Thu 20 Nov 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Written in stone - interpreting special geological places Fort William
	This practical workshop is designed for enthusiasts involved inpromoting Scotland’s landscapes and locally important sites. With interpretation expert James Carter, we will explore what makes good practice in deciding who we want to write for, what we want to say, and look at different media for getting our message across. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own geological text on which to work with the support of others and with guidance from experienced interpreters and geologists.
Tue 25 Nov 2008	Sharing Good Practice: A place for life - environment, health and well-being Battleby, Perth
	Sustainable places support the physical and mental health and well-being of people. This event will examine links between natural heritage and well-being, and show how communities, planners, land managers and health professionals can work together to create places which improve health and well-being and reduce health inequalities.
Tue 2 Dec 2008	Sharing Good Practice: Landscape Inspiration & Implementation. How design+management help to make sustainable places Battleby, Perth
	The quality and diversity of our landscapes contributes to the well-being and identity of communities and the attractiveness of sustainable places. This event looks at how landscapes of all scales - from the expanse of our fine scenery to the micro detail of the design of our parks and streetscapes - can be managed and designed to create sustainable places where people can find enjoyment, security and inspiration
Wed 28 Jan 2009	Sharing Good Practice: The Participant - sustainable communities and sustainable places Battleby, Perth
	People make successful, sustainable places. Enabling participation in decision making and governance, promoting equity and justice, and communities acting together are all integral to the creation of successful, sustainable places. This event will investigate how these principles can be put into practice in new, regenerating and existing communities and will be of interest to anyone working to involve people in improving places.
Wed 11 Mar 2009	Sharing Good Practice: Deer management and stalking with public outdoor access Fort William
	Do walkers always heed advice about where stalking is taking place? Do stalkers always provide good on-the-day information on stalking and alternative routes? Deer management takes place during many months of the year with the stag stalking season between July to October being the most sensitive time. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks land managers to use signage and information boards to give on-the-day information on stalking, whilst walkers are asked to minimise disturbance by taking reasonable steps to find out where stalking is going on. This workshop will explore options for improving communications on stalking activities between land managers and walkers.
Wed 18 Mar 2009	Sharing Good Practice: Art in the environment Dumfries & Galloway
	Commissioning environmental art throws up a variety of questions and challenges for site managers and their advisors. Is the artwork to be a response to the environment itself, a form of interpretation or a means of drawing attention to a particular feature? Will it be permanent or ephemeral? What is the balance to be struck between artistic freedom and the requirements to convey a certain message? Is the work appropriate for the site in terms of, for example, visual impact, maintenance, health and safety? How will visitors respond? This workshop will bring together land managers, interpreters and artists to debate these issues and hear from those with experience of environmental art about the successes and pitfalls of their projects.