Flows to the Future Conference

The conference will give the opportunity to find out more about the wide-ranging activities that the Flows to the Project has undertaken, from peatland restoration to outdoor education and interpretation. Speakers include project staff, experts on the Flow Country and partner organisations. All welcome.

Prior to the conference there will be a field trip to the Flow Country and the RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve.

Wednesday 11th September 2019, Field Trip to Forsinard Flows

Visit the RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve in the Flow Country. It will be possible to attend either a half day or full day trip. Depending on numbers, each option may also be repeated in the morning/ afternoon. Train costs to be paid by participant. The train journey itself is remarkable, with beautiful views of the peatlands as well as the coast. Limited places available.

07:00 Train departs Inverness

10:21 Train arrives at Forsinard

10:30 – 13:30 Visit to the former Dyke plantation to see peatland restoration and discuss the techniques that have been used.

13:46 Train arrives at Forsinard (departs Inverness 10:41)

13:47 Return train to Inverness departs

14:00 – 17:00 Tours of the field centre, visitor centre and a guided walk up the Dubh-lochain trail to the iconic Flows Lookout tower

17:11 Return train to Inverness.

Thursday 12th September 2019, La Scala Cinema, Eden Court, Inverness

Morning sessions Chair: Professor Stuart Gibb, Chair of the Peatlands Partnership

09:30 Refreshments

Welcome Speaker to be announced

Why the Flow Country? Professor Des Thompson, Principal Adviser on Biodiversity, Scottish Natural Heritage

Five years of Flows to the Future: peat probing and problem solving Caroline Eccles, Project Manager Flows to the Future

11:10 Break

Conservationists who cut down trees: restoring the peatland Darrell Stevens, Senior Site Manager Forsinard Flows, RSPB and Anson Macauslan, Welbeck Estate

A blanket to keep us cool: The role of the Flow Country in climate crisis research Dr. Roxane Andersen, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Research Institute

12:15 Lunch

Afternoon sessions Chair: George Campbell, Regional Director North Scotland RSPB

How and why to build a tower on a bog: the practicalities of promoting a remote location. Caroline Eccles, Flows to the Future Project

How to move like a dragonfly: outdoor learning on the bog and its benefits. Hilary Wilson, Flows to the Future Project

Bunting and bagpipes: community engagement and volunteering in the peatlands. Beki Pope and Sydney Henderson, Flows to the Future Project

14:15 Break

Linking Science and art: how creative interpretation enables understanding of this wild landscape. Hannah Imlach, artist, and Dr Roxane Andersen, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Research Institute

The Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef… the Flow Country?: The Flow Country as a potential World Heritage Site. Joe Perry, Project Coordinator, Flow Country World Heritage Site Working Group

The Future of the Flows: Economic benefits of environmental projects, and looking forward. Eann Sinclair, Area Manager, Caithness & Sutherland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

15:50 Closing remarks

For any questions or queries please contact sydney.henderson@rspb.org.uk