A Busy Start to 2025: Conservation, Collaboration, and Connection
Event • 28 April 2025
The first few months of 2025 have been a time of meaningful learning, collaboration, and connection — and we’re excited to share some highlights from the events we’ve recently attended.
April: University of Exeter Anthrozoology Residential 2025
Just yesterday, Kylie presented her talk, “A new leash on conservation: How rescue dogs are advancing wildlife conservation,” at the University of Exeter’s Anthrozoology Residential. Set against this year’s theme, “Searching for glimmers through a darkening lens: Anthrozoology’s desire to save and help flourish,” her presentation explored how rescue dogs are playing an increasingly vital role in wildlife conservation by offering both practical solutions and a renewed sense of hope in the face of environmental challenges. She also highlighted the transformative impact this work can have on the dogs themselves.
We’re incredibly proud to contribute to these important conversations about the future of conservation and the human–animal bond.
April: Devon and Cornwall Dormouse Meeting
Over the weekend, we attended the Devon and Cornwall Dormouse Meeting. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with leading hazel dormouse researchers and learn more about the latest developments in dormouse research and conservation.
This event was especially valuable for Kylie, who is currently working toward her hazel dormouse survey licence. It also offered useful insights for one of our upcoming conservation detection dog projects. While we can’t say too much just yet, this is a little hint of what’s to come — stay tuned for updates!
March: UK Careers Fair – Plymouth
In March, we had a booth at the UK Careers Fair in Plymouth, held at the New Continental hotel. It was a great opportunity to speak with individuals interested in conservation detection work and to connect with other local organisations. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with us!
We’ll also be attending the Plymouth and Exeter UK Careers Fairs later this year. You can find more information on our Classes and Events page.
March: Devon's Little Owls Conservation Workshop
Earlier in March, we attended Devon’s Little Owls: A Conservation Workshop, led by Roy Leigh from the Little Owl Monitoring Network and hosted by the Barn Owl Trust.
It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the ecology and habitat requirements of little owls and to engage in discussions about their conservation. This workshop was particularly relevant as we prepare for an upcoming project focused on both barn owls and little owls. Moose is currently in training to detect both species, and the knowledge gained from this session will be invaluable for our training and surveys.
A big thank you to the Barn Owl Trust for hosting such an informative and engaging day!
February: Fitzroy Building Grand Opening – University of Plymouth
In February, we were invited to attend the grand opening of the Fitzroy Building at the University of Plymouth. The event was hosted by Vice-Chancellor Richard Davies and Simon Hallett, Chairman of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, who together unveiled the building’s commemorative plaque.
It was a privilege to be part of such a landmark moment. A huge thank you to the University of Plymouth and The Cube for the kind invitation.
It’s been a packed and purposeful start to 2025. From conferences and conservation workshops to career fairs and collaborative meetings, we’ve been busy learning, connecting, and sharing our work. But it’s not just about attending events, we've also been hard at work with our dog training classes, pack walks, one to one dog training sessions, and collaborating with a local animal rescue. In addition, we’ve been gearing up for this year’s conservation detection dog projects, planning ahead for exciting new developments, and looking forward to even more opportunities to make a meaningful impact.