People across Hertfordshire are invited to attend a free event with leading nature experts. Tarmac, the owners of the popular Panshanger Park in the county, is hosting the ‘Nature of Panshanger Park’ event in Hertford later this month in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. People who are wild about wildlife will be able to find out from guest speakers at the British Dragonfly Society, Wild Trout Trust and EMEC Ecology about all the different creatures that live in the park and why they choose to make it their home. They will also hear why Panshanger is so loved by both its animal residents and human visitors and volunteers.
The event takes place on Thursday 25 January at The Sele School, Welwyn Rd, Hertford, SG14 2DG, between 6.30pm – 9.30pm.
Insight into the management of chalk rivers, including Panshanger Park’s River Mimram, will be given by Rob Mungovan, conservation officer at the Wild Trout Trust. Steve Brooks, trustee at the British Dragonfly Society, will be there to talk about the 19 amazing species of dragonflies and damselflies that can be found at the park. Adrian Dutton, entomologist at EMEC Ecology, will be letting us know why it is not always the living trees that some species find most inviting.
There will also be a talk from Ellie Smith, senior data officer (Herts Environmental Records Centre) at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust about how species are recorded and monitored. Resident Panshanger Park people and wildlife officer, Jo Whitaker, will be there to talk about biodiversity engagement, and Michael Charlton, estates manager for Tarmac, will be giving an update on the future plans for the park.
Michael Charlton said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people to this event and hope it will give attendees a real insight into what goes on at the park. We have some great guest speakers who are real experts in their fields, so it should be a really informative and interesting event for anyone who has an interest in wildlife, nature, and the park.”
Jo Whitaker, Panshanger Park people and wildlife officer, added: “So much goes on at the park that people don’t see, so we wanted to take the opportunity to give a real insight to what goes into what we do to preserve and enhance biodiversity at the park, including highlighting the vital work we do with partners so that wildlife can really thrive.”
More information on the event and details on how to book can be found at: https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/events/the-nature-of-panshanger-park-25jan24
The event is free to attend, but donations to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are welcomed and can be made at the time of booking.
