Join Us for the Moorland Association Members’ Day and AGM 2026
- Andrew Gilruth
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
A bigger conversation about the future of the uplands
The Moorland Association’s Members’ Day and AGM 2026 will take place on Tuesday 19 May at The Morritt Hotel, Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle.
Running from 10.00am to 4.00pm, with lunch provided. You can secure your place now.
Following feedback from members, we are trialling a longer AGM format this year to allow more time not only for the Association’s formal business, but also for a fuller discussion about our future direction, the kind of uplands we want to see in the years ahead, and how we get there.
Rather than duplicating material covered at regional meetings earlier this year, the programme has been designed to focus on key updates and give members more opportunity to engage with the major issues shaping upland management.
At a time of major political, environmental and land management change, this is an important opportunity to hear the latest evidence, discuss the challenges ahead and help shape the Association’s direction.
AGM business and policy insight
The day begins at 10.00am with a welcome and opening of the meeting, followed by the formal AGM business, including adopting the 2025 accounts and the appointment of accountants for the year ahead. Members will then hear Andrew Gilruth’s Report to Members, followed by MA President Simon Hart on Westminster and the political outlook.
Research and evidence from the uplands
A strong theme of this year’s programme is the role of research and evidence in informing practical moorland management. Dr Andreas Heinemeyer of the University of York will provide a Peatland-ES-UK project update, highlighting work on peatland management, wildfire risk and heather burning, and showing how Moorland Association support has helped sustain long-term monitoring and strengthen the scientific case in key policy and public debates.
Lunch and afternoon sessions
After a full morning session, lunch will be provided at 12.30pm before the afternoon programme begins.
The afternoon will feature a series of practical and forward-looking research updates. Matt Colson and Robert Benson will present the latest from the Moredun Institute on the next-generation vaccine against Louping Ill virus. This will include the current picture on Louping Il and the role of tick management.
Members will also hear from Zahra Mousavi of the University of Exeter’s wildFIRE Lab on The Power in the Patchwork, a PhD project exploring how existing and alternative rotational burn mosaics may help slow wildfire spread, reduce severity and support practical wildfire management on moorland landscapes.
The programme also includes Managed Moorlands for Breeding Birds, presented by Professor Charles Tyler, introducing a new PhD project examining how managed upland moorlands support breeding waders and merlin, using existing survey, habitat and productivity data to assess breeding success and identify the conditions that favour these species.
The day concludes with a Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust upland research project update, before the event closes at 4.00pm.
Why attend?
This year’s Members’ Day is a valuable opportunity to hear the latest thinking, ask questions, share views and help shape the Moorland Association’s future direction. With a programme that brings together policy, science and practical upland management, it promises to be an informative, constructive and thought-provoking day for members, their agents and keepers.
Book your place
With a full programme running from 10.00am to 4.00pm, lunch provided, and the chance to hear from leading speakers on policy, research and upland management, Members’ Day and AGM 2026 promises to be a timely and worthwhile event. We encourage all members to attend and be part of the discussion.
Should you wish to stay overnight, please contact the hotel. Any questions please email rbeeson@moorlandassociation.org.
