Majestic basking sharks cruise the coast of Cornwall every year and these incredible creatures are the stars of this year’s Cornwall Wildlife Trust Discovery Day, sharing the billing with details of the charity’s latest wildlife conservation work.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 9th November at the Keay Theatre, CornwallCollege, St. Austell, from 10am to 3pm. The event will start with the Trust’s Annual General Meeting, open to members only, and talks will follow from 10:30am which are open to anyone interested in the county’s wildlife.Special guest speaker will be Colin Speedie, who as Director of the Wildlife Trusts’ Basking Shark Project, and founder of WiSe. He will be explaining why the basking shark is a conservation icon.

Colin has lived all his life by or on the sea, and has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with marine life. As a working yacht skipper, he has been involved in whale and dolphin research projects around the UK for over twenty years, but his main interest has always been in the basking shark.

In 2003 he founded WiSe (Wildlife Safe), which aims to promote, through training, responsible wildlife-watching, primarily with operators of passenger pleasure craft, wildlife cruise operators, dive and service boats, and yacht skippers. So far nearly 3000 people have attended a course through this scheme.

This year’s programme for Discovery Day includes talks on:

–       How the Trust has been working successfully with local farmers to improve water quality and wildlife habitats in the East Looe        River Valley, with speakers Iain Barker, Farm Advisor, and Cheryl Marriott, Conservation Manager.

–       Who’s who amongst the Looe Island seal colony with Sue Sayer, from Cornwall Seal Group

–       Monitoring the Island’s great black-backed gulls from Bruce Taggart, CBWPS, and the Island’s liver birds with Derek Spooner, LMCG.

–       The positive results for the Trust’s Banana Pinger trials and the next steps towards cetacean conservation with Marine Conservation Officer, Abby Crosby.

–       The basking shark – a conservation icon – with Colin Speedie.

If you have an interest in Cornwall’s unique and diverse wildlife, then this is a great event to attend. As well as the talks, there will be a chance to ask questions, and meet with the staff and volunteers who work to put the Trust’s important aims into action.

To come along you need to book in advance by Monday 4^th November. There is a small fee to attend the talks at £5.00 for the day.  A buffet lunch will be available for £7.00. To book your place at Discovery Day 2013, please visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/discovery to book online or download the booking form and return along with payment to Carolyn O’Hagan, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ or just call Carolyn on (01872) 273939 ext 204.

Event details:

–       Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s AGM and Discovery Day

–       Saturday 9^th  November 2013  10am – 3pm

–       Keay Theatre, Tregonissey Road, Cornwall College, St. Austell, PL25 4DJ.

–       Cost £5.00 for the day, additional £7.00 for lunch