Earlier this month, LIFE in the Ravines was proud to take part in the Creating Canopies II: Resilience, Adaptation and Regenerative Approaches conference, organised by the AAB Applied Tree and Forest Biology Group in Carlisle. The conference brought together leading researchers, practitioners, and restoration projects from across the UK and beyond, all united by a pressing challenge: how can we build resilient, adaptive, and regenerative tree and woodland systems in the face of climate change, pests, and disease?
For our project, which is focused on restoring ravine woodlands across the Peak District, this was an invaluable opportunity to both share our work and learn from others tackling similar challenges.
Why This Conference Matters
The Creating Canopies series of conferences has become an important gathering place for scientists and practitioners who care about the future of woodlands. This year’s event (10–11 September 2025) explored three themes that resonate directly with our work:
- Resilience – building tree populations that can withstand disease, drought, and changing climate.
- Adaptation – adjusting management approaches to cope with uncertain futures.
- Regenerative approaches – moving beyond conservation to actively repair ecosystems, restore lost functions, and create woodlands that thrive.
Over two days, participants exchanged insights through talks, poster sessions, field visits, and informal discussions. A field trip to Coombs Wood Forest showcased local examples of canopy restoration and adaptive practice, sparking lively debate about what works and what doesn’t, on the ground.
LIFE in the Ravines on the Stage
For LIFE in the Ravines, presenting at Creating Canopies II was a chance to bring the unique challenges of ravine woodlands into the national conversation. Our sites in the Peak District hold the UK’s largest concentration of Tilio-Acerion ravine woodlands, a habitat of European importance. Yet these steep, ash dominated slopes have been devastated by ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), with 99% of trees now infected.
This raises urgent questions:
- How do we regenerate canopy cover on unstable, rocky slopes?
- Which species can replace ash while maintaining habitat integrity?
- How do we safeguard biodiversity while also addressing safety risks from diseased trees?
At the conference, our team presented early lessons from large-scale planting trials, and monitoring methods designed to evaluate resilience over decades. We also shared our approach to balancing removal of dangerous ash trees with the retention of tolerant individuals, a vital step in keeping alive the possibility of natural resistance.
Cross-Pollination of Ideas
One of the great strengths of Creating Canopies II was its diverse audience. We exchanged ideas with:
- Urban forestry specialists working on canopy cover in cities.
- Researchers testing disease resistant planting stock.
- Woodland managers trialling regenerative approaches in lowland and upland sites.
- Early career scientists using drones, genetics, and soil health metrics to innovate in restoration.
This diversity helped highlight that while each woodland type is unique, our challenges are deeply interconnected. For example, our use of mixed species planting in ravines resonated with those creating resilient shelterbelts on farms, while our safety driven removal of ash connected with urban managers coping with roadside dieback.
Why It Matters for LIFE in the Ravines
For us, the value of presenting at Creating Canopies II lies in three areas:
- Visibility and Influence – By showcasing our work, we highlight the importance of ravine habitats. Our steep slope challenges push the boundaries of woodland restoration practice.
- Knowledge Exchange – We benefit from learning about the latest science and approaches. Whether it’s methods for propagating disease-tolerant ash, strategies for diversifying canopies, or new monitoring technologies, these insights directly inform our ongoing project.
- Collaboration Opportunities – Networking at the event opened doors for partnerships with universities, Forest Research, and fellow practitioners. Collaboration is essential if we are to scale up restoration and transfer lessons from the ravines to other habitats.
Looking Ahead
The Creating Canopies II conference underscored that the challenges facing woodlands today cannot be solved in isolation. Climate pressures, invasive pests, and diseases like ash dieback do not respect habitat boundaries. By participating, LIFE in the Ravines positioned itself within a wider community of practice, one that is collectively rethinking how we design, plant, and care for the trees of the future.
Our take home message from the event is clear: woodland restoration must be bold, collaborative, and experimental. For ravine woodlands, this means trialling innovative planting methods, retaining genetic diversity in ash, and designing resilient canopies for the long term. For the wider community, it means sharing results openly, learning from failures as much as successes, and keeping resilience at the heart of woodland design.
Final Thoughts
Presenting at Creating Canopies II was more than just an opportunity to showcase the progress of LIFE in the Ravines, it was a statement about the importance of collaborative learning in safeguarding our woodlands. The exchange of knowledge and experience will strengthen not only our project but also the wider woodland restoration community.
As we continue restoring our ravine woodland in the Peak District, the insights from Carlisle will travel with us onto the steep, limestone slopes, and regenerating canopies where the future of these rare habitats will be decided.