Exe Estuary Winter Forum 2010

The Exe Estuary Forum, on Thursday 28th January, proved a great success with more than 80 people attending to learn about the projects and studies taking place on the estuary.

Feedback forms completed on the night have provided us the opportunity to analyse the sectoral balance of the Forum as well as gather feedback about the event itself.

As can be seen from the pie chart the Partnership has worked hard to ensure that the Forum receives interest from a broad and very even cross-section of local businesses, community interests and organisations as well as the many and varied recreational clubs on the Exe.

The Feedback questions and answers can be seen in Table 1.  Of the 81 attendees 50 feedback forms were submitted and have been collated to create a percentage of answers for each question.  The results are a fantastic indication of the value of the Forum and the success of this particular event with 100% of attendees agreeing that the Forum was worth attending, that it was interesting, and that the themes covered were relevant to them.  Furthermore 100% of the attendees stated that they would like to attend the Forum again and that they felt it was a key opportunity to learn more about the Exe Estuary and get involved.  In terms of the Partnership and the services that it delivers, 100% of Forum attendees agreed that they value the work of the Partnership with 70% strongly agreeing.

Table 1: Forum Feedback	Strongly agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly disagree
The conference was worth attending	58%	42%
Everything was well organised	56%	40%	2%	2%
The presentations were interesting	46%	54%
The themes covered were relevant to me	40%	60%
The venue was suitable	48%	46%	6%
I would like to attend the Forum again in the future	60%	40%
The Forum is a key opportunity for me to learn more about the Exe Estuary, get involved and have my views heard	54%	46%
I value the work of the Exe Estuary Partnership	70%	30%

 

 

View Presentations

 To view the powerpoint presentation for each speaker please select them from the agenda below:

 

 

Agenda

6.30 Arrival, refreshments available. Information panels on display and an opportunity to see footage from new Educational Film; Think Deep! Created by EDDC

7.00 Introduction: Neil Downes, Forum Chair

7.10 Marine and Coastal Act, How it May Affect You: Jim Masters, Devon Maritime Forum

7.20 Finding Sanctuary and the need to add your knowledge: Beth Henshall, Finding Sanctuary

7.30 Questions to Jim and Beth

7.40 Exe Strategy: Steve Rendell

7.50 Questions to Graeme and EA representative

8.00 Disturbance Study: Durwyn Liley, Footprint Ecology

8.10 Workshops

8.45 Reconvene

Soapbox sessions

8.50 Progress of Turbine trial on the Exe, Adrian Janssen

8.55 The role of Fisheries on the Exe - Devon Sea Fisheries

9.00 Case study: Exmouth Mussels

9.05 Monitoring the Exe’s fish

9.10 Questions to soapbox presenters

9.30 Close

Autumn Forum 2008

The Autumn Forum was held on Wednesday 22nd October in the Council Chamber at County Hall.  The evening focused on the issue of climate change and what the predictions are for the Exe Estuary.  

Climate Change is the biggest threat to our natural environment today and the Exe Estuary is no exception.  With an increasing sea level and a warmer and wetter climate we can expect to see substantial changes taking place both in terms of the estuary’s form, the wildlife that it supports and how it is managed.  

The Exe Estuary Forum examined the anticipated consequences of climate change that we can expect to see in future years.  A series of experts provided presentations on what climate change actually means to the estuary from predicted sea level rises to wildlife adaptation as well as an overview of the studies that are taking place now in order to attempt to prepare for the future.

After the presentations there were be a choice of four workshops where, in smaller groups,issues relevant to the estuary were examined more closely and collect and the attendees  ideas and comments were collected.

Two of the workshops will focused very closely on the themes of the presentations and discussed how changes can be planned for and what local communities can do to prepare for an inevitable change.

The other two workshops examined the interpretation of the Exe Estuary in an attempt to begin to collect ideas on how the history and wildlife of the Exe can be better interpreted in order to raise awareness of this fantastic site.  Building on the success of the Exe Activities leaflet, which was created by an Exe Action group of local representatives earlier this year, we wish to examine how best to interpret other key features of the Exe.  To read more about these exciting projects and find out how you can get involved please view our Exe Action group page.

The following presentations were given

• Climate Change; an Overview by Midge Kelly, Devon County Council
• The Impacts of Climate Change on the Exe by Martin Davies, Environment Agency
• Impacts on Wildlife and the Lower Clyst Project by Gavin Bloomfield, RSPB
• Coastal Management Study: Graeme Smith by Teignbridge District Council

The powerpoint presentation delivered can be viewed by clicking on the title of the presentation that you wish to see.  A report of the evening is also available to download.

Spring Forum 2008

The Spring Forum was held on Saturday 7th June at Lympstone Marine Barracks.

The event saw presentations from:

• The Exe Estuary Officer who gave an update of the partnership's work over the last year.
• Mike Baker of East Devon District Council who updated the Forum on the progress of the Coastal Management Study and gave details of the consultation process that will happen later this year.
• Jack Nott, River and Canal Manager for Exeter City Council who notified the forum of changes to navigation in the estuary as well as an overview of Exeter's use of marker buoys in the Exe.
  

The afternoon workshops gave the Forum an opportunity to discuss specific issues with relevant officers in small groups.  The topics for the workshops were suggested by the attendees on application of their ticket.  The workshops were:

• Future project ideas for the partnership, led by Exe Estuary Officer, Jenny Lockett.
• Wildlife in the Exe led by Natural England's Marine Officer Mel Parker
• Other changes that could be made to improve navigation led by Jack Nott
• Sustainable energy possibilities for the Exe

A full report of the event is available to download: Exe Estuary Spring Forum Report