Still time to register for GWCT GAME Scotland conference

AS we edge closer to 29 March, and whatever that may bring, we also move closer to Scotland’s first GAME conference, organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, which will be a major focus for all those involved in the game and conservation sectors in Scotland and beyond.

The conference at Perth Racecourse on Friday 29 March explores a wide range of topical themes of significance to upland and lowland land managers across a variety of habitats and species.

Hugo Straker, senior advisor for the GWCT, said: “There is no other event in this particular area quite like this in terms of scope or knowledge transfer. Whilst the date coincides with another major landmark day in the UK political calendar our focus will be very much on the health of our upland and lowland habitats, the species they support, the benefits they bring and the challenges they raise for land managers and farmers.”

The event is sponsored by Bidwells, Game & Country Ltd, and Thorntons Law LLP.

In addition to Edward Mountain MSP, who is delivering the keynote speech, the full day programme includes:

• GWCT research in the uplands and lowlands; the importance for game, wildlife and practitioners: Dr Adam Smith, Director, GWCT Scotland
• Innovative cropping for game and wildlife conservation: Alan Johnson, Technical Advisor, Kings, and Dr Dave Parish, GWCT Head of Lowland Research
• The grouse moor management review; a force for good? Tim Baynes, Director, Scottish Land & Estates Moorland Group
• Adaptive management licences; the Strathbraan case study: Merlin Becker, GWCT Scotland Trainee Advisor
• Tunnel traps after 2019 – disaster or opportunity? Dr Jonathan Reynolds, GWCT Head of Predation Control Studies
• Antibiotics in gamebirds – eliminate the dependency: Matthew Balfour MRCVS, St David’s Gamebird Services
• Glorious Game as food; Tom Adams, the British Game Alliance, and John Queen, Head keeper, LInhope Estate
• Mountain hare – a need for counts to refute assertion that sporting estates cause local decline: Ross Macleod, Head of Policy, GWCT Scotland.

Hugo added: “Many of the hot topics of the moment will be aired throughout the day. It will be a vital opportunity for land managers to catch up with the latest thinking on these issues as well as flag up the future challenges that we see coming across the horizon.”