YOU can now book your place to take part in the Exmoor Society's 13th annual Spring Conference.

The event, which has the theme 'Exmoor's Natural Capital' and is organised in partnership with the Exmoor National Park Authority, takes place at Dulverton Town Hall on Friday, April 7 between 10am and 3.30pm.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set a new objective to improve the quality of the natural environment and see a 'net gain' in its value over the next 25 years.

Rachel Thomas, chairman of The Exmoor Society said: "The conference will be exploring this idea - what is natural capital? How can its value be increased? What role can national parks play with their rich natural assets and special designation?"

"The English National Parks, mainly in the uplands, were created for their spectacular scenery, wild, wide-open spaces, abundance of wildlife and bio-diversity, rich farming heritage, a rural culture stretching back to pre-historic times and their suitability for outdoor recreation."

The Exmoor Society say National Parks now face many challenges, not least from Brexit and the passing of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Various organisations have set out their preferred replacement schemes and the conference will explore how these different proposals will impact on upland farmers who livelihood is now at greater risk.

"Can a new approach such as Natural Capital be successful in bringing together natural assets, including natural beauty and the historic environment, and retain traditional farming practices and a deeply rural culture still found in geographical places such as Exmoor?" Mrs Thomas said.

Two members from the government's Natural Capital Committee, chairman professor Dieter Helm and fellow member professor Ian Bateman will be keynote speakers at the conference.

A workshop for delegates will be led by Professor Brett Day and colleagues from the Land, Environment, Economics and Policy Institute, Exeter University.

Delegates will discuss Exmoor’s natural assets, how they have changed, the pressures they face and a future agri-environmental scheme that emphasises public payment for public goods.

Other speakers will include Rob Wilson-North, conservation manager for the Exmoor National Park Authority and Dr Helen Blackman, outreach archivist with the Exmoor Society, and Dr Nigel Stone, who will give some reflections on his 17 years as chief executive of the National Park Authority and thoughts about Exmoor’s future.

Places can be booked online at www.exmoorsociety.com or by contacting The Exmoor Society on 01398 323335.