On Saturday 25
th June at the Poringland Community Centre, the Claylands community joined us for our first ever Wilder Connections conference for a talk and four different workshops: woodlands for wildlife, mapping the future, community action for connectivity, and regenerative farming. The purpose of this day was to bring together South Norfolk Claylands community to share knowledge of the living landscape around us and how it can be grown.
Conference talk by Helaina Parkinson
Woodlands for wildlife offered guidance and information on planting, growing, and tending woodlands for species. This doesn’t just mean planting the right type of trees in the right formation; it's about building the right habitat for all manner of different creatures and connecting up other environments that may already exist in the landscape, such as ponds, hedgerows, and roadside verges.
Mapping the future demonstrated Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s use of GIS mapping and allowed those who chose to attend the course to see their towns’ past and present habitats from a birds-eye view.
Community action for connectivity is what the Claylands project is all about, this workshop discussed how we should all be aiming for not just a community that works together, but a community that helps build bridges between habitats, sewing together the fabric of the countryside.
Finally, regenerative farming, was a workshop designed for anyone interested in how farmland can work in harmony with wildlife.
Mingling visitors by Helaina Parkinson
Our visitors arrived and quickly mingled with one another over tea and biscuits before our keynote speakers, Andy Millar from Natural England, and Professor Tom Williamson from UEA, officially started. Guests were enamoured with our speakers from the start! Many wished for Tom to have more time for his jovial and enlightening landscape history presentation and for NWT Helen Baczkowska to continue her woodlands for wildlife circle for longer.
Many networks and friendships were built over the course of the day, especially during our lunch hour which was beautifully catered by Old Hall Farm for every preference. The atmosphere of open communication and relaxed learning was enjoyed by all.
Another conference is in the works for 2023! If this is something that would interest you, keep an eye on Eventbrite or contact the Norfolk Wildlife Trust at
[email protected] to be added to our mailing list.
Header image, Lower Ashwellthorpe in the Claylands Living Landscape by Richard Osbourne