Surrey joins Europe to host conference

The European Gardens Heritage Network is holding a one-day conference at the Royal Horticultural Society site at Wisley, Surrey, on Friday 14th March. Chaired by LPGT secretary Mike Dawson, the conference will cover:

• Sustainability: economic; social; environmental
• Gardens as destinations and gateways

The conference will:

• Showcase examples of good practice across the European regions
• Identify practice that could be applied to other places
• Explore how issues could be addressed (eg through funding bids, European networks etc)
• Promote parks and gardens as resources for the community

In the afternoon, six workshops will allow delegates to discuss topics covered by speakers in plenary sessions. There will also be an opportunity to tour the RHS site.

The following organizations are hosting the conference:

• European Gardens Heritage Network
• Surrey County Council
• Royal Horticultural Society
• Surrey Gardens Trust

The European Garden Heritage Network (EGHN) is a project involving partners from Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the UK. It is seeking to promote the social, cultural, economic and environmental contribution parks and gardens make to the regions of North West Europe.

EGHN is seeking particular recognition for the contribution gardens make to the “soft infrastructure”, which is increasingly credited with attracting inward-investment (for example through business relocation or tourism). The Network wants this recognition to be reflected in the prominence parks and gardens are given in local, regional and transnational plans and spatial strategies.

At the same time, the Network wants to redress the perception that gardens are only for an elite audience and promote and develop their value as resources for the whole community.

Further information:

• Programme
• Booking Form
• European Gardens Heritage Network