We are delighted to welcome Peter Shield, Senior Ecologist with Gateshead Council, to hear his perspective of opportunities for nature restoration in the urban landscape.
Part of the Ouseburn Wild Talks series, hosted in collaboration with Ouseburn Farm and the Ouseburn Trust, as part of the Wild Ouseburn project.
The River Tyne physically divides the cities of Newcastle and Gateshead, but in ecological terms, it serves as a vital connection for urban wildlife navigating between the two.
Ouseburn’s tidal waters and expansive green corridor intertwine the landscapes and ecosystems of these neighbouring cities. Kestrels, for instance, maintain territories across the urban divide, hunting freely between grasslands. Butterflies flit between patches of nectar-rich wildflowers, while otters swim between river catchments and pollen drifts between the cities.
Though a “landscape-scale approach” to nature conservation is more commonly discussed in rural contexts, this holistic perspective must also guide efforts to protect and restore our urban environments.
To kick off the third Wild Ouseburn Talks series, we are delighted to welcome Peter Shield from Gateshead Council’s Natural Environment Team. From developing policies and plans, managing projects and partnerships, local government ecologists play a crucial role in shaping and delivering initiatives that safeguard and revive nature in our cities.
Join us for an illustrated talk by Peter, who will share his perspective on protecting and restoring urban nature. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, providing an opportunity to engage in constructive discussions about nature conservation.
TICKETS:
Wild Ouseburn Talks are a welcoming place for everyone to come and discover all things wild. Talks are free and open for all to attend, complimentary hot drinks & biscuits too! Please RSVP your free place(s), you will be sent a reminder email a couple of days before the event.
In previous years we’ve had requests from attendees to make donations, so this year there’ll be a contactless payment machine to make a donation if you want to. Donations will support the Wild Ouseburn project.
DATE & TIME:
Thursday 24th October. 6.30pm start – arrive from 6.15pm to find a seat and make a hot drink.
LOCATION:
Ouseburn Farm, Ouseburn Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 2PA. Talks take place in Ouseburn Farm’s lovely, warm event space.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Ouseburn Farm, including access to the event space and toilets, are wheelchair accessible. If you would like to discuss other accessibility requirements, please feel welcome to contact us and we’ll be very happy to help.
Photo: Peter Shield assisting in the ringing of Kittiwakes on Saltmeadows Tower, Gateshead | Wild Intrigue, 2024