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. 

Restoring ecosystems

The conference – the only event of its kind in Scotland – will focus on solutions rather than reinforcing problems of global biodiversity crashes and climate breakdown.

There will be inspirational presentations and examples from around the world, delivered by leading rewilding practitioners, policy makers and storytellers.

Peter Cairns, Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said: “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.

“We’re aiming for a great day of inspiring presentations and thought-provoking discussions.”

Cairngorms Connect

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.

This Author 

Mariane Brooker is The Ecologist’s content editor. This article is based on a press release from SCOTLAND: The Big Picture. 

Anyone can attend the conference, which is sponsored by The Woodland Trust and Ecosulis. Tickets can be purchased here.