Around 200 people with a passion for the natural environment are gathering in the Cairngorms National Park this week for the biennial UK National Parks Conference.

The three-day event, which kicks off at Aviemore Highland Resort on Wednesday, brings together delegates from all 15 UK National Parks, public agencies and other leading conservation and community experts. 

The conference will be hosted by zoologist and wildlife broadcaster Megan McCubbin with speakers including Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, and Craig Bennett OBE, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts. The central theme for the event is Dùthchas; a Gaelic word that encompasses ideas of kinship, heritage and deep-rooted connections between nature, people and place.

A packed programme showcases the huge range of work being done in the Cairngorms National Park – from pioneering peatland restoration to beaver reintroduction. Field trips include canoe trips along the River Spey, a visit to a Strathspey farm to explore food production and conservation work, and a journey over the SnowRoads to discuss flood prevention and river restoration in Royal Deeside. 

Sandy Bremner, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted to be hosting our family of national parks to reflect and build on the incredible work being done right across the UK. We extend a warm welcome to all delegates and look forward to an inspiring three days.” 

A workshop on wildfire management is expected to be one of the most in-demand discussions of the conference. It was on the programme long before the summer, when a major wildfire broke out in Glenmore and Strath Nethy, just a few miles from the conference venue. 

Sandy Bremner added: “We are of course not the only UK national park to have been affected by wildfires this year – a stark reminder of the realities we’re facing in our changing climate. The workshop will be a timely opportunity for us to consider how we learn from recent events and take further action to protect our communities and landscapes from wildfires in future.”

Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, said: “At a time when we are facing so many shared challenges, including the impacts of climate change, more extreme weather events and biodiversity loss, this event brings everyone together to tackle the big questions. 

“I am looking forward to seeing how these important conversations translate into action to protect our natural environment for local communities, visitors and future generations.”

Leading support for the conference is provided by Tarmac and SSEN Transmission as our main sponsors, with further sponsorship from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Grangers and Cairn Distillery.