Enhancing resilience to wildfire in Scotland's protected areas

Join us for this interactive expert workshop to discuss the future of Scotland's protected areas.
About this Event

Wildfires pose a worsening risk to Scotland's protected landscapes; the 2026 Cairngorms wildfire in July reached over 25km wide, and led to the evacuation of around 700 residents, with thousands of acres of moorland and forest destroyed – which may take centuries to fully recover. Scotland's protected landscapes are home to thousands of species; provide ecosystem services such as flood mitigation and carbon sequestration; and attract residents, businesses and tourists alike. Some evidence suggests that rewetting and rewilding Scotland's wild spaces could reduce the incidence and severity of wildfires; whilst others suggest that rewilding could lead to increased fuel loads which may worsen the impacts of fires. Facing the reality of increasing temperatures and drier summers, the BES' Scottish Policy Group is convening experts from ecological research, protected area management, and the fire service to share the evidence surrounding approaches to land management of protected areas for wildfire resilience. Join us for this interactive expert workshop to discuss the future of Scotland's protected areas.

Agenda

🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Arrival, tea & coffee
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Scottish Policy Group Welcome
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:40 PM
Speaker Talks
🕑: 02:40 PM - 02:45 PM
Tea Break
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:45 PM
Roundtable Workshop
🕑: 04:45 PM - 05:00 PM
Wrap up & closing
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Networking drinks