This year's BMC access conference on 10 November is set to focus on the erosion of paths in upland environments, practical site-based solutions as well as resource constraints that threaten the upkeep of some of our most treasured routes.

The steady pounding of feet coupled with severe weather events has caused many erosion scars to damage our path network in recent years.  These scars can and have harmed the local ecology and spoilt people’s enjoyment across many upland areas; in popular places like the Lake District for example, some have grown to up to 30m wide.

Regular maintenance is needed to cope with this problem and sustainably support the hills and mountains, but this costs a lot of money, time and resources. Booming visitor numbers, shrinking budgets, and the extensive damage of recent flooding means that many authorities and organisations are struggling to keep up.

The conference on 10 November will look at all of these issues and is aimed at those who are involved in the upkeep and use of upland paths; path managers & wardens; policy makers; stakeholders; volunteers as well as user bodies.

We will hear from various National Parks as to how they are balancing the need of the user with the environment; upland ecologists and the Environment Agency as to the impact of events on the biodiversity and the wider landscape; the challenges of raising funds across the country from AONB’s to the John Muir Trust and the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust; as well as the importance of partnership working and the future support that may be required.     

BOOK: bookings are now closed

Where and when

The conference will be held at the Rheged Centre in Penrith on 10 November. Registration is between 9.00-9.45am with a finish time of between 4.15-4.30pm. 

Speakers and Programme

The CONFERENCE PROGRAMME is now available to download with speakers from National Parks, Fix the fells, North Pennines AONB, Environment Agency, Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust, JMT, SNH and the National Parks Partnership. 

Cost

The registration fee for the conference is just £25 per delegate for BMC members and £40 per delegate for non-members. BMC membership costs just £15.72 for the first year when you sign up by Direct Debit; join now to take advantage of this discount.

This fee includes a delegate pack, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

BOOK: bookings are now closed

If you have any trouble booking onto the symposium please contact Cath by email at Cath@thebmc.co.uk.

We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've just launched a new U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership

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