The North of England team would like to invite you to The GWCT Upland Game Conference. This conference is a vital opportunity for all that are interested in the practical management of our moorland and upland fringe, to hear the most recent developments in research, policy and most importantly, keep up to date with measures you can take to future proof our rare moorland.
Designed to bring together a collection of industry leaders and our own GWCT experts, along with the chance to network with peers.
Registration begins at 9.15am with tea and coffee, and the first talk begins at 10am. Tickets are £55 per person, with ticket sales supporting the vital research we conduct in our uplands.
Tea, Coffee and Lunch are provided through out the day, with allergies catered for. Ample parking can be found behind The Witham.
For more information, contact Rebecca Barber on 07458147143 or rbarber@gwct.org.uk.
Programme
- 9.15am – Registration with tea/coffee
- 10.00am – Welcome and Introduction
- 10.10am – Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland with Scottish Land and Estates, explains the recent changes in Scottish policy and how that may affect landowners.
- 10.30am – TBC – Looks at the forecast for English uplands following a change in government.
- 10.50am – Dr. Beth Wells, Principal Research Scientist at The Moredun Research Institute – Louping ill, surveillance, and progress of the new louping ill vaccine, developed at Moredun and its route towards commercialisation.
- 11.10am – Short break
- 11.50am – Dr. Nick Hesford, Interim Director Scotland, GWCT, highlights what the GWCT can do to develop your grouse management programme and future proof your estate.
- 12.10pm – Case study, reviewing the Epicollect programme and gives an on the ground perspective to its value.
- 12.20pm – Questions and discussions
- 12.30pm – Lunch (buffet with game pies and hot soup – all sourced locally)
- 1.30pm – Dr. Roger Draycott hosts a panel discussion with members of the Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers Group and Andrew Gilruth from the Moorland Association. Exploring the benefits of this collaborative approach with our neighbours, to provide a greater biodiversity and a voice for these cherished landscapes.
- 1.50pm – Dr. Phil Warren, Black Grouse Recovery Officer, GWCT, presents our black grouse translocation project, moving black grouse from their stronghold in the North Pennines to pastures new on the North York Moors.
- 2.10pm – Short break
- 2.30pm – Dr. Andreas Heinemeyer, Senior Research Fellow, University of York, delves into the contentious upland issue of heather management, investigating claims around its impacts (and that of alternative cutting or no management) on carbon, water, and vegetation in relation to scientific evidence and latest research.
- 2.50pm – Dr. Scott Newey, Head of Upland Research, GWCT, looks forward to the new Upland Research team structure and goals.
- 3.10pm – Matt Goodall, Head of Education, GWCT, rounds up the themes of the day, how the GWCT aims to tackle these questions and what practical steps you can do to futureproof your landscape and heritage.
- 3.30pm – Close of day