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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who brought and presented posters at #SNSC2026 - we were lucky to have such a wide range of fascinating topics and great engagement in great conversations about ongoing research!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Congratulations to our #SNSC2026 prize winners! Alice Turner delivered an amazing talk on the impact of human disturbance on #beaver foraging 🦫 Jess Frater presented an engaging poster on social acceptability of increased deer culling in Scotland @cieem.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

We want to express a massive thank you to all of the organisations that contributed to the #SNSC2026 conference, including those who brought stalls and spoke to attendees. Without these organisations, this event would not be possible!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A big thanks to our student keynote speaker Adam Woodward for presenting work on light pollution and seabirds in Scotland. We look forward to hearing all about future work with @naturescot.bsky.social to tackle this! #SNSC2026

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Ladybirds of a feather flock together? Callum Grant explores the question 'do ladybirds prefer to overwinter with conspecifics?' 🐞 #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Ticked off! Woodland patch and landscape characteristics determine tick presence and density in Scotland by Benjamin Miller

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Measuring nature connectedness in children: A face validity investigation of the NCI by Zsuzsa Lugosi-Grant #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk @nhm-london.bsky.social

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

that's a-boar-e! Belonging, Legitimacy and the Governance of Free-Living Sus scrofa in Contemporary Scotland: A Critical Discourse Analysis by Eleanor Foster #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Building a web - Understanding online interest in invasive non-native species, presented by Ruth Wright at #SNSC2026 @ruth-wright.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk @naturescot.bsky.social @iapetusdtp.bsky.social

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Poor-poise - Concentration patterns of intentionally and unintentionally produced PCBs in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the British coast - Presentation by Katerina Schiffnederova

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Not got mush-room, unless you’re a willow! @sarahwatts.bsky.social is unearthing the ectomycorrhizal fungi co-occurring with relict arctic-alpine willows and restoration sites using eDNA

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Taking the sting out: Controlling nettles to improve puffin breeding habitat - presentation by Finley Bruce

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Gr-aspen the regeneration - from soil to suckers: drivers of clonal regeneration in Aspen (Populus tremula) at Muir of Dinnet NNR - Presentation by Callum Nicol from SRUC

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Professor Kirsty Park ( @stir.ac.uk ) delivered her keynote speech on the WrEN project, undertaking a “natural experiment” approach to assess the effects of historic woodland creation on current biodiversity in order to inform future restoration actions

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Day 2 of #SNSC2026 kicks off with an introduction from Stuart MacQuarrie (@naturescot.bsky.social) – hope isn’t just a feeling but a strategy. Hope-based action within environmental work delivers success and we have the proof!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Dam humans ruining my meal! 🦫 Alice Turner from @stir.ac.uk (and of SNSC organising committee fame) presents her PhD research on how human disturbance affects beaver foraging #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Peat and Tidy - Niamh Gurrin from the University of Edinburgh presents how peat bog restoration impacts stream water quality 💧 #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

I want to break tree! Sitka spruce colonisation of treeline environments in Scotland by Rory Abernethy 🌲 #SNSC2026 @naturescot.bsky.social @stir.ac.uk

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

All Time Crow 🪶 - our second student talks session kicks off with allofeeding and allopreening of a crow with a beak abnormality from Julia Chase

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Our #SNSC2026 poster session is underway, with presenters discussing a wide range of environmental and ecological topics including blue crab, tansy beetles, ticks and more!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Having a whale of a time with our student keynote speaker Penny Clarke, detailing research from the recently completed PhD on how satellite imagery is giving insights into whale monitoring and conservation 🐋 #SNSC2026

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Our #SNSC2026 panel explored how to navigate career pathways across in the environmental sector. We heard about "wiggly" career paths, and how they can lead to accumulation of diverse skillsets, how to gain experience in your area of interest, and how we can bridge gaps between research and policy.

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Living life to the Gull-est! Helen Pruzina from @stir.ac.uk with work on modelling how resource use influences Herring Gulls

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

CoreGone? - Not on Ruaidhri's watch! Ruaidhri Forrester from University of Glasgow with a talk on assessing Vendance (Coregonus lavaretus) status in the UK

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

A "Newt" approach to monitoring Edinburgh's Great Crested Newt population from Finn McElrue-Inch and Luisa-Marie Dickenmann, highlighting the importance of volunteer monitoring efforts - sign up using the QR code if you are in the Edinburgh area for spring training!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Kicking "moth" session one of our student talks, we heard from Jemma Guthrie from the University of Glasgow presenting on the changing dynamics of of moth pollination networks in temperate rainforest ecosystems #SNSC2026

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

From our first #SNSC2026 keynote speaker Tom Bowser (Argaty Red Kites), we heard a story of resilience from the first site to reintroduce #beavers to a working Stirlingshire farm, overcoming challenges to bring these ecosystem engineers back to the landscape, and highlighting the changes seen since.

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Doors are open and posters are going up at #SNSC2026 Day 1 kicks off with a warm welcome and message of hope and resilience from Professor Colin Galbraith from @naturescot.bsky.social, followed by a reflection of SNSCs past from University of Stirling’s Professor Kirsty Park (@stir.ac.uk)

photo of the lecture theatre with welcome presentation

photo of two University of Stirling students in the welcome hall

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

We are getting ready for #SNSC2026 Scotland's Nature Student Conference - welcome and arrival tomorrow at the Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, from 10am! View the programme on our website: scotnsconference.wixsite.com/2026 We look forward to welcoming you to our event!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Exciting News - Registration has opened for Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026. Join us at the University of Stirling on 3rd and 4th March. #SNSC2026 For more information go to: scotnsconference.wixsite.com/2026

scotnsconference.wixsite.com

Home page | Scotland

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Reposted by Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026

Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

A great couple of days at #SNSC2025! My colleagues @bsbiscotland.bsky.social & @sarahelizwoods.bsky.social really enjoyed chatting with the students about #PlantAtlas2020 & hearing the brilliant talks. Huge thanks to the @scotnsconf.bsky.social team on a great event & many thanks for inviting us!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

And that’s a wrap - A final thank you to all of the organising committee at the conference this year, our keynote speakers, the team at the botanic gardens, all presenters and everyone who attended the event - looking forward to doing it all again next year! Hope you enjoyed the puns! #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Finally, Eileen Stuart from NatureScot @naturescot.bsky.social and Naomi Housego @nchousego.bsky.social from the organising committee gave some closing remarks to summarise the conference #SNSC2025

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Reposted by Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026

Sarah Woods @sarahelizwoods.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Great to get along to @scotnsconf.bsky.social this week - two great days at RBGE talking to student naturalists about wild plants and their interests. We talked skill levels, training, data, recording, Sticky Catchfly and arctic alpines (obviously inspired by @sarahwatts.bsky.social!)

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

A beaver themed prize giving! 🦫 - Eileen Stuart then presented the prizes for best talk to James Macarthur at UHI Inverness and the best poster to Alice Turner from the University of Stirling. #SNSC2025 PS - I promise it wasn’t rigged towards the organisers!

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

After lunch Naomi Housego @nchousego.bsky.social led the delegates through a British Ecological Society policy workshop! #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

I get by with a little help from my trends - Beatrix Ward with a poster titled: Effects of anthropogenic land-use and abiotic environmental factors on the community structure of carrion beetles (Silphinae spp.) #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Tree are the champions! - Ben Wilson with a poster titled: Tree-mendous change: exploring the effects of implementing alternative forest management in Scotland #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

The farm before the storm - Izzy Turner with a poster titled: Impacts of agricultural practice on the abundance of soil microarthropod functional groups #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Open bike night - Jane Evans with a poster titled: A Question of Perception - How does the Scottish Mountain Biking Community view its ecological and environmental impact & what are the implications for Site Managers with regards to future engagement and education? #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Fish-ion impossible - Mateus Henrique Amaral and Leandro Luiz Giatti with a poster titled: Environmental conflicts between small-scale fishers and the energy sector in Brazilian coastal food systems #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

It’s all about the process! - Adelaide Sander with a poster titled: Restoring nature by understanding decisions #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Then and now - plant atlas 2020 with a poster titled: understanding changes in Scotlands flora #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Understanding a nature based solution - Isla Kendall with a poster titled: what makes a nature-based solution? #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Talk on the wild side - Christina Mazilu with a poster titled: Evolving meanings of ‘wild’ and ‘rewilding’ in Scotland #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

To tree or not to tree - Sarah Mullally with a poster titled: To plant or not to plant? Efficacy and impacts of woodland expansion in upland soils. #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Nothing grey about these partridges - Lara Auld and Georgia Gargett with a poster titled: A decade of partridges at Balgonie #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Beavers forced to have a ready meal when near humans - Alice turner with a poster titled: Human disturbance affects beaver foraging #SNSC2025

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Scotland's Nature Student Conference 2026 @scotnsconf.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Ticking off the poster session - William McLellan with a poster titled: Humans shape their own exposure to ticks through a "landscape of fear" #SNSC2025

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