Resilient Landscapes & Seas Symposium 2026 Programme

The Resilient Landscapes & Seas Symposium: Collaborating at scale for nature and people taking place at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh on 10-11 February 2026 is the first annual RLAS Symposium. It will bring together leading organisations and stakeholders interested in large-scale land, freshwater, coastal and marine transformation.

The Symposium aims to help build a more cohesive community in landscape transformation, share knowledge and best practice, and to connect and provide mutual support to landscape-scale projects across the UK. Registration will open 10 November.

 

Programme Overview*

* This is subject to change as speakers are confirmed.

See the keynote speakers

  • 09:00 Registration / refreshments

    09:40 Introduction to the Symposium | Prof. Bridget Emmett OBE, British Ecological Society

    09:45 Welcome to Scotland | Dr Clive Mitchell, NatureScot

    10:00 Opening Address | Dr Tony Juniper CBE, Natural England

    10:30 Session 1: Setting the Scene

    Session Keynote | Prof. Zoe Davies, University of Kent

    Session short talks TBC

    11:25 Break

    11:45 Session 2: Working at Scale

    Session Keynote | Sally Hayns, CIEEM

    Session short talks TBC

    13:10 Lunch and networking

    14:00 Session 3: Working in Partnership

    Session Keynote | Rachel Blount, Nattergal

    Session short talks TBC

    15:15 Break

    15:35 Short talks TBC

    16:05: Poster session

    17:00 Close

  • 09:00 Registration / refreshments

    09:40 Session 4: Engaging and Involving Communities and Landowners

    Session Keynote | Diana Pound, Dialogue Matters

    Session short talks TBC

    11:05 Break

    11:25 Interactive session with Rob and Harriet Fraser, somewherenowhere

    12:10 Session 5: Funding for Landscape-Scale Projects

    Session Keynote | Will Stephens, 3Keel

    Session short talks  TBC

    13:05 Lunch and networking

    13:55 Session 6: A Vision for the Future

    Session Keynote | Dr Hannah Rudman, James Hutton Institute & The Scottish Forum on Natural Capital 

    14:30 Discussion and feedback | Prof. Bridget Emmett OBE, British Ecological Society

    15:00 Close