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Red
deer are one of Scotland’s most recognisable mammals – yet
their
numbers in recent decades have soared, bringing into question
their
impact on the wider landscape. Discussion over deer numbers
is sure
to feature at The Big Picture Conference.
Image © www.scotlandbigpicture.com
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Against
a backdrop of global biodiversity crashes and climate breakdown, a
major conference in Stirling this September will examine how Scotland
can reverse its widespread depletion of nature and become a world
leader in restoring its land and seas to good health, so wildlife and
communities can flourish.
The
Big Picture Conference will explore the potential for rewilding large
parts of Scotland’s forests, peatlands, rivers, moorlands and
seas, and
the benefits this could bring for declining wildlife such as red
squirrel, wildcat and capercaillie, as well as for people’s health,
wellbeing and employment.
Hosted
by communications group SCOTLAND: The Big Picture at the University
of Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre on 21 September, the event will
examine why rewilding – the repair and restoration of nature –
matters.
The
conference – the only event of its kind in Scotland – will focus
on solutions rather than reinforcing problems. There will be
inspirational presentations and examples from around the world,
delivered by leading rewilding practitioners, policy makers and
storytellers.
“Scotland
is blessed with awe-inspiring landscapes, but huge areas have
become ecologically depleted. Woodlands, wetlands and peatlands
across the country are all shadows of what they could be. But with
different thinking, Scotland could become a world-leader in restoring
its ecosystems to good health, for both wildlife and people,” said
Peter Cairns, Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
“We’re
aiming for a great day of inspiring presentations and
thought-provoking discussions.”
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Glenfeshie
is at the heart of Cairngorms Connect, a 600 square-kilometre habitat
restoration project in the Cairngorms National Park. Project Manager
Jeremy Roberts will be one of the speakers at The Big Picture
Conference.
Image © www.scotlandbigpicture.com
Scotland’s
biggest habitat restoration project – Cairngorms Connect, a
land manager partnership that is enhancing habitats across a vast
area of Cairngorms National Park – will
feature at the event, as will Lynbreck Croft, whose owners are
farming with nature.
The
keynote presentation will be from the inspiring American Prairie
Reserve, where three million acres of public and private lands across
Montana, USA are being reconnected to benefit nature and people.
SCOTLAND:
The Big Picture says rewilding could provide employment, especially
in the Highlands and Islands, where otters, deer, puffins and sea
eagles already support a growing nature tourism economy. Nature’s
benefits also include beavers reducing flooding, trees providing
food, and peatlands soaking up carbon. Increasingly, studies show how
nature boosts people’s health, and is good for children.
The
organisers hope to encourage debate and discussion, and also
cooperation between different groups. They say rewilding can co-exist
well with farming, forestry and recreational activities.
Anyone
can attend the conference, which is sponsored by The Woodland Trust
and Ecosulis. Tickets can be purchased
at www.scotlandbigpicture.com/conference.
SCOTLAND:
The Big Picture is Scotland’s first organisation wholly dedicated
to rewilding advocacy and communications. Its mission is to help
drive transformational change towards a vast network of rewilded land
and sea, where wildlife and communities can flourish.
See www.scotlandbigpicture.com.
Event
details
What:The
Big Picture Conference – bringing rewilding to life
When:
Saturday 21 September 2019, 9.30-18.00
Where:
Macrobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA
Price:
£69 / £35 for students and under 18s
