Join the High Weald National Landscape Team and a host of expert speakers for an exciting one-day conference all about deer - and how we can work together to manage them.

From our innovative drone survey project to helping stalkers supply venison to foodbanks, the High Weald National Landscape Partnership has been leading the way in collaborative deer management over the last few years, garnering attention from across the UK.

Recognising the value of a gathering of all those concerned with the impact of deer on our landscape, we are hosting the High Weald’s first ever deer conference.

Whether you’re a stalker, farmer or landowner, advisor or interested member of the public, come along on Saturday 1 February 2025 and hear from leading organisations including:

• British Deer Society
• Forestry Commission
• Natural England
• The Country Food Trust
• BH Wildlife
• High Weald National Landscape Team.

The event will cover a range of diverse topics, from using thermal drone imagery, diseases in deer and funding for deer management to the history of deer in the landscape. There will also be case studies highlighting successful deer projects within the High Weald including those led by Penns Estate and Conservators of Ashdown Forest. Check out the full agenda below. 

Event details:

• Doors open at 9:30 with talks starting at 10am
• There will be opportunities for networking during refreshment breaks and a venison lunch will be provided.

Agenda:

• Welcome and Introduction - John Marland, Chair of the High Weald Farming in Protected Landscape grants panel
• History of Deer in the High Weald - Prof. Naomi Sykes, University of Exeter
• Interpreting Thermal Drone Data - Ben Harrower, BH Wildlife
• Establishing Deer Management Groups - Alison Otway, Falconhurst Estate

Refreshments

• Diseases in Deer - tbc
• Collaborative Deer Management in the High Weald - Sandy Williamson and Mark Smith, High Weald National Landscape Team
• Case Study: Learnings from managing deer on open access land - Ash Warmsley, Conservators of Ashdown Forest

Lunch Break

• Deer Management and Legislation: a licensing perspective - Dr. Rodney Calvert, Natural England
• Habitat Impact Assessments and Funding Opportunities - Jody Orchard, Forestry Commission
• Case Study: Setting up and running collaborative deer move days - Hugo Campbell, Penns Estate
• How deer management can do more than just save the countryside – SJ Hunt, Country Food Trust

Attendance at this event is free due to financial support from Defra. However, our work to promote more and better deer management is reliant on fund-raising. If you would like to support our work please consider a donation.

Find out more about our work in deer management here