Manx Wildlife Trust chief executive Dr Tim Graham will be the speaker at the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society’s second lecture of its winter programme.

The meeting takes place at the Manx Museum lecture theatre in Douglas on Saturday.

He will explore what nature conservation is, or should be moving towards, to be successful.

The talk will consider issues of scale, value, achieving impact and also explore some new and old visions for nature, posing some difficult questions while examining what this means for the Isle of Man.

Dr Graham explained: ’Protecting wildlife has always changed over time, and currently nature conservation is no different.

’It needs to think bigger, and so does the Isle of Man. I’ll be setting the scene to explore what "new conservation" is adding to the conservation movement.

’This is all about how we value nature on the island, and taking better and bigger action to ensure protection and recovery.

’The state of nature and our vision for its future is central to making sure wildlife thrives, and future generations continue to experience the benefits and be inspired by what we have to offer on the Isle of Man.

’Current situations indicated a huge amount about values and action we must take to conserve nature.

’This could be the place of wallabies in our island ecology or bringing red squirrels over. It could just as easily be many other species that make-up a unique situation for us.’

Dr Graham added: ’How we talk about nature and consider our role is also important, influencing how we prioritise - or don’t - managing land for wildlife.

’What does the current situation tell us about Manx wildlife and its likely future? What is the role for our UNESCO Biosphere Reserve accolade?

’It all poses difficult questions and decisions at a time when nature writing and discourse is considered to be going through a revival, but economic priorities and valuing seems to reveal it at its weakest.

’The future need not be so grim and it is a choice to keep the Isle of Man a special place - with nature at its cultural heart.’

The meeting, which will provide an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges, threats and opportunities relating to Manx wildlife, takes place in the lecture theatre at the Manx Museum in Kingswood Grove, Douglas, from 2.30 pm.

It will be followed by tea and biscuits.