STUDENTS FROM MORAY were among over 50 attending UHI establishments who attended a conference this week looking at integrated land use.
The event organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands aimed to encourage students who are studying a variety of land-based subjects to develop and integrated approach to land management.
Students from courses including geography, forestry, environmental sciences and gamekeeping took part in field trips to Dalnahaitnach and Allt Lorgie and worked on team projects during the two-day event at Carrbridge.
They also heard presentations from organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB, SEPA and Scottish Water. The conference, which took place on Thursday and Friday, was the university’s fifth annual integrated land use conference.
Dr Sue Engstrand, subject network leader for environment and rural resource management at the university, explained why she believes it is important for students from a range of land-related disciplines to meet: “We are aiming to encourage our students to think broadly about land use and land management, about the connections between land uses and about innovative solutions to getting multiple benefits from our land.
“Our idea is to encourage these students, who are studying at many different levels from vocational programmes right through to PhD, to develop skills and understanding to work together across discipline boundaries with external stakeholders to develop an holistic and integrated approach to land management.”
The integrated land use conference was supported by Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Land and Estates and SEPA.