On the 22nd of September, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Wales hosted an event at the Senedd, which was an opportunity to showcase the Trust’s research and technological innovation in conservation to Members of the Senedd and policymakers.
Our display in the entrance hall included drones used in monitoring work, AI cameras for wildlife identification, electric fencing to protect waders from predation, the latest satellite tags and electro-fishing equipment.
GWCT Wales director Lee Oliver welcomed assembled MSs, civil servants, farmers and representatives from organisations including NFU Cymru and FUW. He explained how technology is allowing our scientists to produce better outcomes for nature including making the process of finding curlew nests far quicker and for farmers to collect data with greater efficiency. Talks then followed by Dylan Roberts, head of fisheries, who discussed the use of AI technology in GWCT’s work on salmon and Bleddyn Thomas, wetlands research assistant, who spoke on the use of cutting-edge satellite tagging to monitor snipe migration. The whole team presented in both Welsh and English, with GWCT Wales chairman Owen Williams and sponsor Elwyn Vaughan MS thanking everyone for attending.
After the talks, the team including GWCT Chief executive Nick von Westenholz, spoke with the guests about WG future policy, the wider research areas of the Trust and its work in Wales partnering with farmers to increase biodiversity alongside profitable farming.
“The event was the catalyst to further discussions with Members of the Senedd and WG officers as well as taking forward an ambition for a Cross Party Group Nature Recovery and a Thriving Countryside to discuss and promote ways to get more nature within productive profitable farms.” – Sue Evans, GWCT Wales Policy Director
We are especially grateful to our sponsor, Elwyn Vaughan MS and our thanks to everyone who attended.
