UHI Integrated Land Use Conference 2025: The role of land management in tackling the biodiversity crisis

More than 80 students, staff and industry professionals from across Scotland, Europe, and North America came together last week in and around Carrbridge for the UHI Integrated Land Use Conference, held from Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 March 2025.

Organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in collaboration with industry partners, the three-day conference provided a platform for students, researchers, and land managers to explore this year’s theme: ‘the role of land management in tackling the biodiversity crisis.’

The annual conference brings together land use students from across the UHI partnership to collaborate, and learn from one another. It also offers a valuable opportunity for students to engage with industry professionals, discover volunteering and explore potential career paths.

Attendees ranged from National 5 students to PhD candidates, representing a variety of land-based disciplines, including geography, forestry, wildlife and conservation management, gamekeeping, sustainable development, and environmental science. The event featured a mix of field sessions, expert talks, and open discussions, sparking fresh ideas and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Joe Easter, a BA (Hons) Environmental Science student at UHI Inverness, said:

“This was my second Integrated Land Use Conference, and I've come away with lots of food for thought both times. It's great to hear people speaking passionately about fields I know little about, and to get a sense of what jobs are out there that I might not have otherwise considered.”

Dr Su Bryan, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Health and the Environment at UHI, said:

“Effectively managing our land to protect biodiversity is arguably one of the most important challenges we face today. It plays a crucial role in our response to climate change and biodiversity loss. At UHI, we are proud to educate many of Scotland’s future land managers, and we recognise the importance of collaborating with others from different backgrounds and with different priorities.

“Since 2012, we have organised this annual Integrated Land Use Conference in partnership with others, providing students with the opportunity to learn from one another, and crucially, to work together. We are grateful to all the partners who have offered funding and support for this important event.”

For more information about the conference, visit: UHI Integrated Land Use Conference

Interested in land-based studies? Find out about UHI’s courses for September entry: www.uhi.ac.uk/courses