Conservation Chat UK LTD
Company Number 12390719
27 Shorton Valley Road
Paignton
TQ3 1RB
Conservation Chat UK LTD
Company Number 12390719
27 Shorton Valley Road
Paignton
TQ3 1RB
Conservation Chat UK LTD
Company Number 12390719
27 Shorton Valley Road
Paignton
TQ3 1RB
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Welcome to a different kind of conference
At Conservation Chat UK Ltd, we believe conservation events should be fun, welcoming, and inclusive—not formal or stuffy.
The Saving Species Conference is a relaxed, community-focused event where anyone passionate about wildlife and the environment can learn, share, and connect, whatever your background or experience level.
👉 Click here to view details of the next Saving Species Conference.
What to expect
Join us for our annual in-person conference focused on species conservation. Hosted by Conservation Chat UK Ltd, this event reflects our deep commitment to the natural world. We create events that put wildlife, nature, and conservation at the heart, connecting people to nature through inspiring talks, shared ideas, and a supportive community.
A day of learning and connection
Inspiring talks by expert guest speakers
Engaging discussions on important conservation topics
Great networking with like-minded people
A welcoming space for everyone—students, professionals, and nature-lovers alike
CPD opportunity
This conference is a great Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunity.
Attendance certificates are available for anyone who would like to record their learning.
Practical info
Light refreshments provided
Please bring a packed lunch (we challenge you to go plastic-free!)
Affordable ticket prices to keep it accessible to all
Important to know
This is an in-person only event.
If the conference is cancelled by us, we’ll give you a full refund—no hassle.
👉 Click here to view details of the next Saving Species Conference.
Download your free programme here!
Here's a taster!
Laura Collier
Conservation Chat UK Ltd
Title: The Hidden Footprint of Everyday Products
We use everyday products without much thought about where they end up, but many can have unexpected impacts on wildlife and ecosystems. From skincare and sunscreens to cleaning products and clothing, small choices at home can add up in meaningful ways in the natural world.
This talk looks at some common examples, including sunscreen and reef health, and explores how everyday habits connect to the environments we care about. It also highlights simple, realistic alternatives and considerations that can help reduce impact without major lifestyle changes.
Nathan Prescott
Butterfly Conservation Trust
Title: Limitation to Leverage: Evaluating agricultural systems through Lepidoptera population responses.
Agricultural land use dominates the UK landscape and has been a principal driver of long-term declines in Lepidoptera, largely through habitat loss and degradation. However, agricultural systems also present the greatest opportunity for large-scale species recovery if managed with a clear understanding of the underlying ecological mechanisms. This talk uses butterflies and moths as model taxa to examine how different agricultural practices either constrain or facilitate population persistence within farmed landscapes.
Dawn Powley
Griffiths Veterinary Centre
Title: Saving Our Spiky Neighbours: The Future of European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
From a young age, I have always had a passion for wildlife, but my love for the European hedgehog truly began when I was just 15 years old, volunteering with a local hedgehog rehabilitation. Seeing these incredible little animals up close and the challenges they face every day inspired me to dedicate my studies towards wildlife conservation.
This passion led me to study International Wildlife Biology, where I focused my dissertation on investigating whether European hedgehogs are affected by the presence of red foxes (Vulpus vulpus) and European badgers (Meles meles) in urban and rural areas across the UK. Through both my academic research and hands on rehabilitation experience, one thing became increasingly clear: our hedgehogs are in serious decline and something needs to change.
In this talk, I’ll explore why Britain’s beloved spiky friends are becoming endangered, the threats they face in modern landscapes and what we can all do to help protect their future before it’s too late.
Debbie Rolmanis
Nature's SAFE
Title: Wildlife Cryobanking: Preserving Genetic Diversity for Conservation
This presentation will explore how wildlife cryobanking can support species survival by safeguarding genetic diversity, enabling advanced reproductive technologies and providing biological resources for scientific research. Drawing on examples from Nature's SAFE's collaborative work with zoos, wildlife parks, veterinarians and conservation organisations, the talk will demonstrate how opportunistic sample collection, cryopreservation and emerging assisted reproductive technologies can be used as vital tools for conservation.
Simon Roper
Ambios
Title: The Return of the Black-veined White Butterfly
The idea came during a brain-storm on a car journey. What followed was a fast moving roller coaster or practical and emotional ups and down. This is the story of the why, what, where, when and how we're trying to return a butterfly to Devon after 164 years, and counting! A chilling journey which encounters annoying parasites, giant caterpillars, predatory slugs and devastated hawthorn plants. This story is unfolding in real-time, right now. This talk will reveal the latest news.
Curtis Williams
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Title: Project White Hart - Can we help save England’s Vanishing Chalk Stream Salmon?
Chalk rivers are one of the rarest freshwater habitats in the world, and a small group of these rivers are still home to Atlantic Salmon. But these salmon populations are under threat and have seen downward spiral in numbers in recent years. Can Project White Hart, a new(ish) salmon recovery project, drive forward salmon recovery across the Test, Itchen and Meon catchments?
This talk will look at the main impacts currently threatening these salmon population, touch on the project's plan moving forward towards the restoration plan, and outline how we are trying to establish mechanisms via partnership working to achieve big things.
Dr Holly Farmer & Clare Rugg
Paignton Zoo & University of Plymouth
Title: Preparing students for careers in conservation - with a Masters in Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Biology.
To help graduates stand out in the conservation sector they need the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to support career development. Twenty years ago, the MSc in Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Biology was developed to bring together zoo biology, management and husbandry topics to Masters-level study in a collaboration between the University of Plymouth and Paignton Zoo. The programme has evolved to include topics pertinent to future conservationists such as reintroduction and small population management and recent changes focus on the and aquatic industry, bringing in partners such as the National Marine Aquarium. We will introduce the course and how industry-specific knowledge, specialist training and practical experience provide the ideal basis for a career in the sector. The session will also highlight career pathways in zoos, aquariums, wildlife organisations and research institutions, and demonstrate how postgraduate study can help prepare students for impactful roles in conservation.
Stu Collier
Conservation Chat UK Ltd
Title: Beyond the Goals: Conservation Priorities
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set ambitious targets for protecting people and the planet by 2030. But how much progress has been made, and what challenges remain?
In this engaging talk, Stu will explore the current state of the Global Goals, with a particular focus on SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land. Stu will examine successes, setbacks, and emerging conservation priorities, while considering the actions needed beyond the 2030 deadline to secure a sustainable future for nature and wildlife.
Lainy Miller
Wilder International
Title: Bridging the Gap Between Wildlife Health, Welfare and Conservation
This presentation will explore the work of Wilder International in supporting sanctuaries and rescue centres worldwide to build capacity and improve animal welfare, while also contributing to biodiversity conservation in the UK. It will examine how integrating wildlife health, welfare, and conservation into a unified approach can provide a more holistic framework for addressing environmental health challenges.
Simon Thomas
Fisheries and Marine Ecologist Consultant
Title: Possible regime shift in the Western English Channel: How the natural and anthropogenic drivers combine to change the oceans
Organisations we've worked with
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