Lectures

Our AGM will be followed by a video by David Tipping

Chris Thomas is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of York, where he established the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, of which he was Director from 2019 to 2024. Chris has published over 350 articles in the scientific literature, for which he has received a number of academic prizes; he is a Fellow of the Royal Society and former President of the Royal Entomological Society. He has also authored a popular science book, Inheritors of the Earth: How Nature is Thriving in an Age of Extinction. Chris has engaged with environmental policy, particularly highlighting the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, the importance of connected, landscape-scale conservation projects, and the need for conservation to accept and to adjust to the inevitability of continuing environmental change. But he is happiest when watching birds, butterflies and flowers in his own wildlife meadow.

The North and West Cape provinces hold a unique and diverse flora and fauna with fascinating ecology.  Nick will introduce some of their highlights with illustrations from two recent trips.

For over 200 years, people have visited Brimham to marvel at the rock formations and scenery. The origins of this unique geological site is only just becoming clear and this talk will outline what we now know about the geology of the rocks, when and how they were formed, including some surprises along the way.

Snaizeholme was acquired by the Trust in 2021 and is their largest restoration project in England. The talk covers the background to the Woodland Trust and how Snaizeholme is developing.

The Skell Valley Project bears witness to the benefits of working with nature, controlling extreme river floods and empowering the local community, to make the valley landscape resilient to future weather extremes. This vital project showcases the National Trust as its best and safeguards the longevity for a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This PowerPoint slideshow lasts just over an hour and looks at the animals, plants and fungi associated with Christmas, starting with the animals witnessing the birth of Christ, to the legend of Saint Nicolas, the origins of the British Father Christmas and the concept of flying reindeer. It also looks at seasonal food throughout the ages and the evolution of Christmas decorations. It is in memory of Patrick Harding (botanist, fungus expert, educator and broadcaster) and based on his book “The Magic of Christmas”

Do you love the haunting sound of swifts screaming overhead each summer? If you do then you will have noticed that this sound is now becoming a rare event. Learn why this is and how you can help to protect this enigmatic bird. You will see footage of swifts in the nest and learn about their breeding behaviour and astonishing natural history. 

Linda Jenkinson is a biologist, a birdwatching guide and educator, founder of the Leeds Birdfair and co-founder of Leeds Swifts. She is a member of a UK-wide network of swift conservationists and, during the summer months, she rehabilitates grounded swifts, swallows and martins at her home in Burley.

Make it Wild have, to date, established 10 nature reserves in North Yorkshire. At their 110-acre site at Bank Woods, Summerbridge in Nidderdale they have mosaic of habitats including: semi-natural ancient woodland; recently planted mixed-broadleaved woodland; meadows; ponds and grazed upland scrub grassland. The site is being rewilded through a blend of created habitat interventions and natural regeneration and this talk describes the observed impact on a variety of species of flora and fauna. 

The talk will focus on Foss Catchment Project, which a partnership project with the long-term aims of improving water quality by reducing the amount of sediment and pollution entering the watercourse, as well as mitigating flood risk throughout the Foss catchment and improving habitat for the River Foss wildlife. I will also talk about catchment-scale perspective to river restoration and the theory behind it, as well as give overview of different river restoration techniques.

An introduction to bats, their physiology, the Yorkshire species, identification using ultrasonic recording, their history in the County and current distribution where known.

Since 1979 plants have played a big part in Nigel’s life. After qualifying from Askham Bryan College NIgel’s work in horticulture took him to Oxford Botanical Gardens and into the Tropical Houses to work with their Alpines, Tropical Ferns and Orchids. His work sparked his interest in native plants and orchids and he has travelled widely to seek out species. The horticultural world continues to benefit from Nigel’s expertise as he is active in a number of roles within the RHS. Nigel lives in the Yorkshire Dales. His talk will be on his travels in search of our native orchids here in the Yorkshire Dales and other counties.

AGM business to be followed by a talk (to be arranged).