Wild Cornwall - Issue No.84

Pennon and The Wildlife Trusts

Otters and Rivers Project Conference

Supported by the Environment Agency
back oarp

Over a hundred people attended the Otters and Rivers Project (OARP) Conference in the magnificent setting of the Carlyon Bay Hotel on 21st

November 2000.

· The OARP is halfway through its three-year funding and is gathering baseline data, setting up volunteer support systems and establishing wide working partnerships, as well as supporting national research.
· Ground-breaking research was discussed, led by Vic Simpson, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) veterinary pathologist, and other national and international otter experts.

· Target areas of work for the next 18 months include reducing otter road deaths, studying predation at fisheries and developing the Otter Group, which carries out vital monitoring.
· National media attention was attracted, with the OARP Officer giving interviews on Radio Five Live and Radio Scotland and articles appearing in the Times and Independent. The conference was also featured on BBC TV's Spotlight.

· There was overwhelming support for the OARP and for the current

sponsors, who have encouraged other sponsors to the project such as English Nature.

The speakers whose range of expertise and talks made the day such success Back from left: Vic Simpson (MAFF vet); Richard Semple (Cornwall Unit Manager, Viridor Waste Management); Stephen Warman (Cornwall Team Leader, English Nature); Mark Pilcher (Fishery Team Leader, Environment Agency); Adam Grogan (RSPCA); Dr Paul Chanin (Mammal Ecologist). Front from left: Roger Trengove (Research and Environment Manager, South West Water); Bruce Hewett (Chairman of the Pennon Group's Environment Committee); Lisa Schneidau (National OARP Director, The Wildlife Trusts); Kate Stokes (Cornwall OARP Officer, Cornwall Wildlife Trust).Photo: Eula Eliades
Working together - Wildlife Guardians The Cornwall Wildlife Trust would like to thank the following corporate members for their support in looking after Cornwall's natural heritage:
		Members Penmere Manor Hotel Imerys Stephens & Scown Carlton Broadcasting Robinson Reed Layton Tregothnan Estates The National Grid Company Plc Vickery Holman Ltd Watson Marlow Ltd CES Ltd The Lost Gardens of Heligan Weststar Holiday Parks Supporters Massie Ludnow & Jenkins Duchy College Clowance Holdings Land's End & John O'Groats Co. Ltd Camborne Insurance Services Ltd North Cornwall District Council The Body Shop Shortlanesend Garage DairyLand Farm World Environment Agency Manuscript Ltd Marcus Hodges Environment Ltd Seven Wives of St Ives Trevarno Estate Rose-in-Vale Hotel Adventureline
"The natural environment is important to the Cornish economy and in turn to the commercial property market of which I am an integral part. It has a huge influence on all sectors, not merely the obvious link with leisure where the natural environment ranks so highly within the customer perception. The quality of our environment has a significant impact on business location decisions. Its preservation and enhancement is crucial to the economy of Cornwall." *Greg Oldrieve*
	"We are fortunate to be able to live and work in Cornwall and believe that through our support of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust we are helping to secure the future of the environment that we are so privileged to enjoy." *Sue Godzicz*
"As the leading mineral company operating in Cornwall we are very aware of our environmental responsibility. As a corporate member of the Wildlife Trust we are able both to support the work of the Trust and to use its expertise in helping us to be better guardians of the environment." *Ivor Bowditch*
Wild Cornwall - Issue No.84 - Spring 2001