13/14th May 2010, SNH Battleby Centre, near Perth
A conference and discussion forum organised by the Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College UHI, in collaboration with Leeds University (Wild Land Research Institute), Lochaber College UHI, the Scottish Wild Land Group (SWLG), Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and The John Muir Trust.
The conference organisers would particularly like to thank UNESCO Scotland for their generous support of this event, along with the John Muir Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Cairngorms National Park Authority.
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:
Scotland’s wild landscapes are of immeasurable value to Scottish society. Our understanding of what makes a landscape wild, of where our wildest areas are, and of how we should protect and enhance such areas is growing; however, many of Scotland’s wilder areas represent contested landscapes for a wide variety of stakeholders with contrasting interests and objectives. Should areas of Scotland be rewilded and, if so, what does this mean? How important will the climate change mitigation agenda be for Scotland’s wild areas, and what might the likely impacts be? What does recent research on wildness and wild land mean, and what directions can policy take to ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s wild landscapes? These are some of the key questions that the participants in this meeting will set out to discuss.
This two-day event aims to:
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raise awareness among key stakeholders and the general public of recent research, policy developments and key issues relating to Scotland’s wild landscapes;
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identify synergies across different policy agendas which relate to wild land conservation and restoration;
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identify future opportunities for wild landscapes;
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provide a discussion forum around which to foster future collaborations;
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develop recommendations for the conservation and enhancement of Scotland’s wild landscapes
The event will run over two days and include presentations across a wide spectrum of interlinked themes relating to wild landscapes: biodiversity and rewilding; renewable energy and climate change; cultural and recreational perspectives; the importance of wild landscapes to the general public; and innovative research and policy development. There will be scheduled discussion and feedback sessions.
Poster presentations are also invited; these will be available for discussion over lunch.
Audience: Researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and all relevant stakeholders -including the general public.
Outcomes:
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Book of abstracts of posters and presentations, available at conference
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Powerpoint presentations on the event website together with the abstracts
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Brief summary document of key points, to be produced after the event
PROGRAMME:
A draft programme will be downloadable from the conference website in early 2010.
ACCOMMODATION:
Participants are encouraged to use the Ramada Jarvis as the accommodation provider for this event. A reduced rate will be available. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Ramada Jarvis
West Mill Street
Perth, PH1 5QP
Perthshire
Tel +44 (0)844 815 9105
Fax +44 (0)150 644 5721
FEES AND REGISTRATION:
Registration for this event is now open.
To register please email: wildlandresearch@leeds.ac.uk requesting that you be registered. Following receipt of your email you will be emailed an invoice and payment request with a link to Paypal where payment can be made using either an existing Paypal account, debit/credit credit card or a bank transfer.
Participant fees: £60.00 (which includes payment for the conference dinner at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel on the evening of the 13th).
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
Please contact Rob Mc Morran at robert.mcmorran@perth.uhi.ac.uk