CMA Events & Training

Countryside Recreation Network

Target Audience:

The event will be of interest to policy makers, managers and front-line staff of organisations that manage parks, countryside sites, access land and public rights of way, particularly where high levels of use by dog owners requires sensitive and effective management to minimise negative impacts without alienating a significant and potentially vociferous user group.

By attending this event participants will:

* learn about a variety of new approaches to managing access for walkers with dogs.
* better understand the access needs and aspirations of dog owners
* identify current deficiencies in access management that exacerbate problems
* understand how principles of behavioural theory will help them develop the most effective management approaches.

7th May 2009
Worcester Woods Country Park
Worcester

Delegate Fee: £150

For CMA members, this event attracts 10 continued Professional Development (CPD) points

Background:

Most managers of parks, countryside sites and public right of ways will tell you that visitor surveys frequently cite "walking the dog" as the main reason for visiting and "dog fouling" as the main one that deters them.

There are over 7 million dogs in Britain with as many as 1 in 4 households owning a dog. Dogs bring a great deal of pleasure to many people and perform a valuable role in providing friendship for people who live alone, assistance to people with restricted vision or health problems and an incentive for an increasingly sedentary population to get off the couch and visit the local park or countryside. However, problems with fouling, livestock, ground-nesting birds and attacks on other dogs or people present regular challenges to most site mangers.

Aims of the event:

The aim of this event is to:
* raise awareness of the scale of the issue
* provide an insight into the dog owners' perspective
* give an update on the legal position
* share good practice

For further information please go to www.countrysiderecreation.org.uk or contact CRN at crn@shu.ac.uk / 0114 225 4653.
Reminder: Booking still being taken for Influencing Behaviour and Understanding for Positive Benefits - Social Marketing and the Countryside Seminar – 11 March 2009 - Centre in the Park (Norfolk Park) – Sheffield.

For further information and to book a place just contact the CRN Secretariat at crn@shu.ac.uk / 0114 225 4653 / Fax: 0114 225 6379/ www.countrysiderecreation.org.uk</strong>