A Changing Landscape - Making the Most of Our Natural Assets

A key reason for reason for much of South West Scotland having been designated as the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is its long history of agriculture and forestry which has shaped our landscapes, our biodiversity, our local economy and our local communities.

With changes on the horizon leading to increased pressures for afforestation, particularly of commercial monoculture, the intensification of livestock farming in our lowlands and the threat to the sustainability of hill and upland farming from Brexit, the makeup of the region is going to change.

Join Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere for a networking lunch followed by an afternoon exploring how to address the issues and opportunities that key industry representatives see influencing the future of land based industries in South West Scotland

• Anne Gray, Senior Policy Officer, Scottish Land and Estates
• Johnnie Hall, Director of Policy, NFUS
• Colin Kennedy, Director Scottish Woodlands and CONFOR representative
• Sir Patrick Hunter Blair, Blairquhan Estate

The afternoon will follow a ‘Question Time’ format exploring the sectoral interests of agriculture and forestry, the scope for integration and opportunities for reconciling these interests.

Light Lunch from 12 noon - Event starts 12.30pm - 5pm