We aim to organise a conference or seminar each year, focusing on a topical theme. Our conference is located in a different part of the UK (excluding Scotland).
2026 CMA Conference – Celebrating 60 years
Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September 2026
Sustainability Centre & Eco Lodge, East Meon, Hampshire
The CMA is delighted that its 60th anniversary annual conference will take place at the Sustainability Centre set in the Meon Valley in East Hampshire, in the stunning South Downs National Park.
The Centre offers a range of accommodation from en-suite B&B (twin rooms), through hostel rooms to camping.
This special conference will celebrate the role that the CMA has played in countryside, conservation and urban green space management over the last 60 years.
We will be joined by some dynamic and inspirational speakers as we reflect back, and look ahead to what the future holds for countryside and green space management.
There will be a good selection of field trips embracing a range of habitants, environments and issues:
Coastal Change – Hayling Island/Bird Aware Solent – exploring multi use recreational issues, behavioural change and mitigation work.
Nature Recovery on the Coast – Looking at Titchfield Haven NNR, a site in transition balancing human and wildlife activity.
Chalk Downland – looking at three large NNRs on chalk download, visitor management, archaeology and removing power lines.
Lowland Heaths – Old Winchester Hill, Butser Hill and Beacon Hill NNRs – how these are protected, potential conflicts with large land owners and development pressures.
A Tale of Two Country Parks – Queen Elizabeth and Staunton Country Parks – joint management, visitor impacts and facilities, social issues, funding and self-sufficiency.
Urban Greenspace Management – with Hart District ouch along the Blackwater Valley, looking at their green grid concept, urban fringe management, 106 funding and development pressure.
Further information on all of the field trips will be sent to delegates ahead of conference for them to select their preferred visit(s).
Cost to members:
Full conference (all three days, including meals and accommodation):
- B&B Ensuite Rooms (shared/twin) – £240
- Hostel Bed (dorm rooms with shared facilities) – £190
Camping (bring your own tent, sorry no campervans/motorhomes)
- Tent with single occupancy – £175
- Tent with shared (2+) people – £140 per person
Day Rates
- Full conference (no accommodation, but including lunch and evening meals) – £125
- Tuesday session (field trips, to include a packed lunch) – £65
- Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning session – £50 per session
Conference places will be available to book shortly via Eventbrite, please look out for further information.
2024 CMA Conference – The Wild West
Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 November 2024
YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor, Okehampton, Devon
Thank you to all those who came to speak, listen and participate in this year’s conference, it was a great few days with new friendships forged and much learnt. Thank you to all those who have sent in their images, here are but a few…
Our previous conferences:
2023
Delivering Nature Recovery
2022
Reconnect, Reflect, Respond
2019
Landscapes, the Big Picture
2018
Engaging Communities, Enhancing Lives
2017
New Opportunities in the Outdoors – creative approaches to funding, partnerships and publicity
2016
