Students gather in Glenmoriston to consider resilience in land management

Over 35 students from around the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire are gathering in Glenmoriston this week for a conference on integrated land use.

Organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and industry partners, the two-day event brings together students from a range of land-based disciplines to collaborate and learn from each other. 

Delegates, who are studying subjects such as agriculture, forestry, gamekeeping and environmental science, will take part in workshops, contribute to discussions and develop their skills through field trips and engagement with expert speakers and students from other disciplines. 

The event, UHI’s tenth integrated land use conference, will take place at the newly built Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. The venue will provide state-of-the-art conference facilities as well as opportunities for attendees to explore the surrounding landscape.

This year’s conference theme will focus on ‘building resilience through land management.’ Representatives from NatureScot, SSE Renewables and SEPA will lead discussions on topics such as renewable energy site development, the future of farming and water scarcity.  

Speaking about the event, Dr Su Bryan, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Health and Engineering at UHI, said: “UHI is delighted to be hosting our tenth integrated land use conference at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Sustainable land use has a crucial role to play in addressing global challenges such as our energy strategy, climate change mitigation and adaptation. We have established this annual event to bring experts from academia, policy and practice together with students from a range of disciplines to share knowledge and co-create strategies for a more sustainable future. The inter-disciplinary event will provide an important forum for future land managers to develop a broad understanding of the challenges and values which shape land management in Scotland.” 

Claudia Rowse, NatureScot Deputy Director of Green Economy, said: “Scotland is facing critical pressures on its natural resources from decades of overuse by farming, forestry and fisheries. As we fight the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, those studying, living and working in the land management sector have the innovative and ambitious solutions we need to transform our land use within their grasp. We have a once in a generation chance to rise to the challenge with a workforce full of talent and skills, ready to protect and restore our natural assets in one of the fastest growing sectors in Scotland’s economy.”  

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre Director, Laurelin Cummins-Fraser, said: “We’re excited to be hosting the tenth anniversary of the Integrated Land Use Conference at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, which will be the first private event to be held at the centre before we open our doors to the public on Saturday 15 April. We hope attendees will enjoy exploring the regenerating landscape that makes Dundreggan so special and feel welcome in our brand-new conference and accommodation facilities.”  

UHI’s integrated land use conference takes place on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 March at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Glenmoriston. More information about the conference is available at www.uhi.ac.uk/iluc 

To find out more about UHI’s land-based subjects, visit www.uhi.ac.uk/courses