Arnside & Silverdale’s 2018 conference was a big success, booking up within a few days of places being made available. The keynote speaker this year was Howard Davies, Chief Executive of the National Association for AONBs. He spoke about the impact of climate change on the environment, the great work being done by AONBs across the country and the Government’s 25 year environment plan.

Other speakers were Bekka Corrie-Close of the Horned Beef Company, which provides beef from cows free to roam in an organic environment, eating the fresh vegetation they choose, and managing the countryside at the same time; Craig McCoy of National Trust Arnside & Silverdale who manages woodlands across the AONB, told us all about the different management techniques they use to create healthier woodlands; and the AONB’s own Tony Riden who reflected on 25 years of leading the volunteering programme – which contributes over 3000 hours of important practical management work each year – from dry stone walling to pond clearance; brush cutting to traditional hedgelaying.

The conference finished with a Question Time style panel discussion and then workshops where attendees helped identify the key issues and priorities for the AONB landscape in the coming five years. Experts in Biodiversity, Heritage Management, Recreation and Access as well as many other areas were in attendance and their feedback will be invaluable as the team develop their next AONB five-year Management Plan which is due to be published at the beginning of 2019 after public consultation.