Findhorn Watershed Deer Forum

A coordinated, collaborative approach to deer management, at a watershed-scale

After 12 months of co-development, in May 2024 we launched the Findhorn Watershed Deer Forum (FWDF) – a bottom-up, place-based membership network through which land owners and managers from across the River Findhorn watershed area can work together to drive forward a collaborative and progressive approach to deer management at the landscape-scale.

The Forum is currently made up of landowners, estate managers, deer managers, and foresters, representing 25 landholdings throughout the 1300km2 Findhorn watershed area, and is designed to build on and compliment the work of the existing Monadhliath Deer Management Group and the West Findhorn & Moyness unit.

Membership of the Forum is on a voluntary basis and is open to all those who actively manage deer or have a practical interest in deer management within the Findhorn Watershed.

The Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust has committed to providing a secretariat role for the Forum during its formative development. As part of joining the Forum, all members are required to adopt the Our Common Ground Accord, in relation to upland deer management in Scotland.

The Forum aims to support the following:

  • Collaboration

    Towards effective, sustainable deer management, delivering multiple ecological, socio-cultural, and economic benefits for the local area. Shared data and zoned working plans informing strategic decision making and land management actions.

  • Communication

    Establishing agreed ways of working and communication channels to support effective collaboration. Engaging the local communities through events and education to promote better awareness of deer, deer management, and venison.

  • Capacity Building

    Strengthen local infrastructure and improve larder network. Ensure that local, sustainable, ethically sourced venison is retained in the local food system. Provide training and CPD opportunities that build capacity for nature recovery into the future.

Findhorn Watershed Deer Management Strategy

2024-2029

The Findhorn Watershed Deer Management Strategy has been authored by Linzi Seivwright on behalf of the Findhorn Watershed Initiative, with input from Findhorn Watershed Deer Forum members.

Through the implementation of this five-year strategy, it is hoped that the collective benefits of a collaborative approach can be harnessed, benefiting people, the environment, and the health of the deer population, and building resilience and capacity to support the Forum in tackling the challenges of the future.

Why has a Rivers Trust convened a Deer Forum and commissioned a watershed Deer Management Strategy?

When the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust set out to develop the Findhorn Watershed Initiative and explore opportunities to help restore riparian woodland, or ‘riverwoods’, along the riverbanks of the River Findhorn and it’s tributaries, little did we know that deer management would quickly present itself as such a key and cross-cutting issue, demanding of our attention.

As it turns out, in seeking to provide a coordinating role to drive forward nature recovery, connection and a nature-positive local economy across the watershed area, the Rivers Trust finds itself uniquely well-placed as a landscape-scale conservation intermediary to bring the necessary key stakeholders together to develop a coordinated approach.

Together as a place-based membership network and Deer Forum, we hope to:

  • Positively contribute towards mitigating the climate and nature crises, by managing deer and other herbivores in a way which helps to enable natural woodland and peatland regeneration – storing carbon, improving biodiversity, and protecting the habitats of our iconic wild Atlantic salmon into the future

  • Make the most of the efficiencies enabled by collaboration across ownership boundaries and at a landscape-scale – whether through practical management of the deer herds or through streamlining carcass processing infrastructure

  • Protect and improve economic interests impacted by deer browsing – whether that’s timber production and restocking without the need for expensive deer fences, in agriculture, or natural capital investments

  • Build capacity for nature restoration and get ahead of policy compliance requirements through the provision of CPD training opportunities, skills development and green jobs in deer management

  • Leverage funding and influence policy as a best practice example of place-based grassroots leadership – bringing together upland and lowland deer management

  • Connect with the local community through educational events, and establish a local market for venison – ensuring more of this sustainable, ethical, healthy source of protein stays within the local food system

  • Collectively steward a healthier native deer population, in balance with the wider landscape, and champion deer welfare

Upcoming engagement opportunities:

Logie Timber Festival
7 & 8 September
Logie Steading & Estate

Find us at Logie Timber Festival at Logie Steading & Estate on the 7th & 8th September, where the Findhorn Watershed Deer Forum will have it’s own stand helping to raise awareness about deer management in the local area.

An Evening with Jess Johnson
& Ryan Kindermann
4 October, Logie Steading

A social evening of stories about deer and wildlife management from America. Based in Wyoming, both Jess and Ryan are passionate hunters, conservationists and wildlife advocates with a deep appreciation for wildlife and wild lands.

This event is FREE but booking is essential - click here to reserve your seat.

Expressions of Interest!
Craft Butchery course
Autumn 2024

We are gathering expressions of interest from those who would like to take part in a craft venison butchery course. If you’re interested, let us know on info@findhornwatershed.com.

With thanks to our FWDF Expert Advisor

The Findhorn Watershed Deer Forum would not have been conceived or made possible without the supportive expertise of Dr Linzi Seivwright BSC CF Phd of Caorann Consulting.

Linzi Seivwright works professionally throughout Scotland and across all levels of the deer management sector; from advising individual landholdings, to helping coordinate a number of Scotland’s Deer Management Groups, and guiding government policy through her role with the Association of Deer Management (ADMG).

Lucky for us, Linzi is also a local resident of the Findhorn watershed, sharing our care for the wildlife, ecosystems and people of this place, and has worked alongside us to author the Findhorn Watershed Deer Management Strategy and will support the ongoing stewardship of the FWDF.