Wildlife

[openadventure]

Does anybody or somebody... not here are they?

Anyway my question, I'm running an event later in the year and the local nature reserve has declined access due to the impact on the wildlife. No problem with that, part of running events. But it has prompted a question.

Does anybody know of a study or thought in to the impact orienteering events or public access have on wildlife, ideally from a neutral body (e.g. not BO..f?)

Cheers
A nobody

[andy]

You might want to have a look at the SOA details on Land Access on the SOA website:
http://www.scottish-orienteering.org/soa/access.html

I'm not sure it will hold exactly what you require but might give some useful pointers.

[awk]

There have been a number of studies over the years, none of which show orienteering as a long term disturber of wildlife. BOF office should be able to point you to them. One or two may have been commissioned by BOF, but none of the ones I'm aware of were actually carried out by them/us.

[Wattok]

There was a study done up in a forest near the moray coast (can't remember which one) quite recently. Use the contact (donald petrie) on the access section of the SOA website as he will have more info for you.

[JimB]

Does anybody know of a study or thought in to the impact orienteering events or public access have on wildlife, ideally from a neutral body (e.g. not BO..f?)

Someone at the University of Calgary was working on a study of the effects of some of the events of APOC 2002 on the soil and vegetation. It wasn't looking at animals I think. I haven't heard much about it since.

USOF has long accumulated a potpourri of statements from many land managers about the impact of orienteering, but that's not a neutral body of course.

[PKJ]

I still have a printed copy of 'An Assessment of the Impact of the November Classic Badge Event 1988 on the New Forest'. The overall conclusions are reassuring for orienteering, especially the impact on deer. But the final conclusion could be written today - 'there is public misunderstanding about what orienteering is'.

Was this the first large-scale assessment in the UK?

The field survey section also contains the sentence 'But, the day before the competition, a hunt used the area altering the state of the ground to a greater depth than measurements could be taken, so the readings were abandoned'. I couldn't possibly comment.

Although there's excellent environmental policy, guidelines etc on the BOF website, are there references to impact assessments or surveys?

[AndyO]

Depends on the reason for the nature reserve. If it is birds (ground-nesting typical) you might stand a chance outwith nesting/rearing season.

I think the study Wattock is referring to was Culbin (after British Elites a couple of years ago). Result of the study was positive, as Culbin (different part of the forest) is being used for BOC 2008.

Agree with andy good reference material on SOA site - access agreements, etc. In Scotland we deal with Scottish Natural Heritage mainly, though RSPB are also involved. Important to maintain positive dialogue with these agencies, though it takes patience at times.

[Tatty]

Brian Parker of ~Devon was the original BOF Environmental Officer. He should have some things of use. Not sure how to get in contact with him though!

[johnloguk]

All of the above posts are valid, as far as I'm aware there are no negative studies, it is often just a matter of educating Rangers as to what orienteering is and what it isn't. As with all things cultivating a good personal working relationship helps too.

We tried to get onto a Local Nature reserve for years to no avail, but last summer we got into more detailed discussions with the Rangers and Natural England. The result is that the Lincolnshire Bomber Long-O ran through there in January, albeit on a fairly restricted line. We now have a contract that embargos the area in the summer for nesting birds, but next year we hope to have more access as part of a C4.

I'm sure there are many other stories like this, so don't give up, just stick at it and gently argue your corner.

[GML]

IOF has a number of relevant docs, including a review of research. See:

http://www.orienteering.org/i3/index.ph ... _documents

Graham

[PeteL]

Another plug for the excellent work Donald Petrie at SOA has been doing.

He's been working closely with SNH on assessing impact on a National Nature Reserve near Aberdeen that has great botanical as well as avian interest. With the birds, we may never get access in nesting season but as a result of positive communication, SNH agreed to a botanical impact study. Last autumn Donald/Gramp ran a very small scale 'event' and Donald has undertaken photographic surveys since which will be reported to SNH. We hope that very soon we will get permission to run a C4 event - a great result!

Maybe it's easier in Scotland to do this becasue there are fewer opinion formers/decision makers to convince than in England.

Final point - this is an example where central administrators in our sport really benefit the clubs and membership so let's give them credit where it's due.

[Copepod]

If anyone wants to talk to a ranger who has been introduced to orienteering and is now very keen - set up 2 permanent courses, aiming for a 3rd soon, plus at least 2 events per year, plus schools, youth groups & birthday parties using training course, particularly in summer, then look at http://www.cpswandlebury.org (Wandlebury Country Park contains woods & fields, and is run by a charity, Cambridge Preservation Society)

[openadventure]

Just a quick post to say thankyou for the great suggestions here. Will follow a few up and see where it goes.

I would like to echo PeteL and his comment re how Central Administration benefits the sport. Looking at the SOA site, I can concur that you do have some sound agreements with some big organisations, in many cases (e.g. FORESTRY COMMISSION) reducing access costs by 50%, hence keeping your fees relatively low.

Thanks again and enjoy the day.

[Wattok]

this is an example where central administrators in our sport really benefit the clubs and membership so let's give them credit where it's due

Indeed. this is off topic but opportunity to give praise so i'm taking it! As a former employee of the association i got to see just how much Donald Petrie does for the sport and it is quite frankly astonishing how much work he gets through and how many projects he successfully manages to juggle at one time. Definitely worthy of much praise and more recognition that he probably gets. an unsung Legend.

...he even finds time to give Martin Dean a run for his money !

[CHRISTIAN]

the Scientific Journal of Orienteering has a few papers on interesting topics:

http://www.ped.gu.se/scijo/scijo.htm