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Project conference

We held a conference at the end of Phase 1 of the project in September 2023 to share our work and learn from others. You can access the programme and all presentations here.

In 2023, we came to the end of Phase 1 of the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (2017 to 2023) funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and NatureScot. 

To mark and celebrate that milestone, and look ahead to what might happen in Phase 2 of the programme supported by the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund, we held an ‘end of project’ conference on 6 September in Aviemore.

A fantastic group of speakers came together to discuss the impacts of invasive non-native species, talk about the many incredible projects (both in the UK and internationally) tackling this issue and share experiences and learn from each other.  The event programme can be viewed here – all presentations are available to view and download below.

Speakers and Presentations

Introductory session

Lorna Slater, Scottish Government, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity: Welcome speech (recorded, available to view on right)

Francesca Osowska, NatureScot, Chief Executive: Invasive non-native species – why they matter and the importance of control

James Russell, University of Auckland: Predator Free New Zealand – conservation country

Callum Sinclair, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative: Landscape scale management delivered locally

Session 1: Approaches to invasive non-native mammal control

Karen Muller, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative: Beyond the banks – navigating the waters of American mink monitoring and control

Xavier Lambin, University of Aberdeen: Reducing the acute impacts of American mink on rural livelihoods and biodiversity in Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia

Tony Martin, Waterlife Recovery Trust: Golf balls, scent lures, smart traps – a recipe for mink removal in mainland Britain

Emma Sheehy, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels: Progress towards eradication of grey squirrels from Aberdeen

Session 2: Invasive non-native plants – their management and impacts

Mark Purrmann-Charles, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative: Strategic invasive plant control

Jane Hamilton, Scottish Invasive Species Initiative: Our woolly warriors – tackling giant hogweed using sheep grazing

Rob Dewar, National Trust for Scotland: Turning a Problem into a Solution

Zarah Pattison, University of Stirling: Riverbanks as battlegrounds – How does Himalayan balsam change riparian habitats

Session 3 – Practical biosecurity in action and emerging threats

Laura Bambini, Biosecurity for LIFE: Biosecurity for Scotland’s seabird island

Colin Bean, NatureScot: Pink salmon an emerging threat in Scottish freshwater ecosystem
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