The 2025 UKILN Conference took place at Killarney, Republic of Ireland on 14-15 October 2025, bringing together professionals working across our lakes and stillwaters.

On this page you can find PDF copies of the presentations and sessions given at the event. They are embedded on the page in running order for ease of navigation.

For further information or if you are having difficulty accessing the resources please contact us.

Day one – Tuesday 14th October 2025

United By Lakes – Presentation 1 – Dan Hoare (Broads Authority)

Mirrors of Change – Presentation 2 – Professor Catherine Dalton

Lough Leane and Kerry Lakes, Deep Past – Presentation 3 – Ken Whelan

Lough Leane and Kerry Lakes, Road to the Present – Presentation 4 – Michael Boyce

Lough Leane and Kerry Lakes, View to the Future – Presentation 5 – Niamh Rogan

Killarney National Park – Presentation 6 – Eamonn Meskell

What Lough Leane means to the people – Presentation 7 – Mike Fleming

Lessons learned from Loch Leven and other Scottish Lakes – Presentation 8 – Dr Linda May

Restoring our Drinking Water Lakes – Presentation 9 – Mark Farrelly

Lough Neagh, The Story so Far – Presentation 10 – Dr Stephen Prentice

Lough Muckno – Presentation 11 – Patrick McCabe

Lough Feeagh Past Present and Future – Presentation 12 – Dr Elvira de Eyto

Freshwater biodiversity citizen science – Presentation 13 – Dave Wall

40 Years of Changing Waterfowl Use of Lough Leane – Presentation 14 – Áine Ní Shúilleabháin

The 2024 UKILN Conference took place at Lough Erne, Northern Ireland on 3-4 October 2024, bringing together professionals working across our lakes and stillwaters.

On this page you can find recordings of the expert presentations and sessions given at the event. They are embedded on the page in running order for ease of navigation.

For further information or if you are having difficulty accessing the resources please contact us.

Day one – Thursday 3rd October 2024

Introduction and Community Engagement Approach – Session 1 – Elmarie Swanepoel (Lough Erne Landscape Partnership)

Lake restoration, A tale of the unexpected? – Session 1 – Dr Linda May (UKCEH)

Involving communities in stillwater initiatives – Session 1 – Laura Owen Sanderson (North Wales Rivers Trust)

Making partnerships work for water (and Q&A session) – Session 1 – Jenny Wheeldon and Gina Crane (Esmée Fairbairn Foundation)

Young people’s perspectives on still waters and engaging with young people – Session 2 – Dakota Reid (RSPB Northern Ireland), Rhys Irvine (RSPB Youth Panel), and Emily Chittenden (Broads Authority)

Discussion between professionals working in lakes – Session 3 – Various presenters

Day two – Friday 4th October 2024

Bringing the Waterways Ireland Archive to life – Session 4 – Sharon Lavin (Waterways Ireland)

Engaging communities as we develop solutions for nutrient overload and algal blooms – Session 5 – Joanna Braniff (Northern Ireland Freshwater Task Force), with Linda May (UKCEH), John Barry (Queen’s University), and Mark Horton (Ballinderry Rivers Trust & The Rivers Trust)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 1 – Riverfly Monitoring Initiative – Lisa Kirkwood (Riverfly Monitoring Initiative)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 2 – Invasive Mussel Monitoring – Chris Hilcox (Friends of Little Woods)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 3 – Lake Buddies – Vicky Veerkamp (LAWPRO)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 4 – WaterBlitz – Laura Bannatyne (Freshwater Watch)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 5 – LakeFly Monitoring – Melanie Fletcher (Natural England)

Citizen Science Lightning Talk 6 – Freshwater citizen science overview – Ken Whelan (Independent Fisheries Scientist)

Visioning session workshop on collaboration and engaging communities around still waters – Final Session

We’re excited to announce that the 2024 Lough Erne Stillwater Event is just around the corner! This year’s event will take place 3-4 October with the stunning backdrop Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, in venues in and round Enniskillen. Whether you’re passionate about environmental sustainability, lough, lake and catchment management, or simply love the natural beauty of waterscapes, this is the event you won’t want to miss! 

🌍 Why Attend? 

The conference brings together experts, policymakers, researchers, landowners and community stakeholders to share insights and solutions for the sustainable management of stillwaters, rivers, and their catchments. Whether you are involved in academia, conservation, land management, government, or just passionate about preserving our natural landscapes, this is the place to connect, learn, and make an impact. 

Highlights include: 

• Stimulating short talks to generate conversations with a wide range of stakeholders. 

• Interactive workshops focused on practical solutions and innovations. 

• Field trips around beautiful Lough Erne showcasing local wildlife, economy, landscape and heritage. 

• Networking opportunities with key stakeholders from across the UK, Ireland, and beyond. 

• Lough Erne Heritage Festival organised by Lough Erne Landscape Partnership runs in parallel from 28September to 5 October 

📅 Booking Options Now Open! 

We’ve made it easier than ever to secure your place at this one-of-a-kind event. Head over to our conference webpage to explore registration, including the FREE daytime sessions and an attendance bursary for those who would normally find it difficult to attend this type of event in-person. 

How to Book: 

1. Visit our conference page 👉 UK and Ireland Lakes Network Conference 2024. 

2. Select your booking options (separate bookings needed for each session, including two parallel options on Day 2). 

3. Follow the simple steps to confirm your spot. 

Remember, the daytime sessions are all FREE to participants, so make sure to book your tickets soon! 

💬 Stay Connected 

Follow us on social media and use the hashtag #UKILakes2024 to stay up-to-date with the latest news, speakers, and announcements. We look forward to welcoming you to this incredible event where we’ll work together to protect our beautiful still waters and water ecosystems for future generations! 

Don’t miss out – Book your spot today and be part of the conversation on stillwater management and conservation in the UK and Ireland. 

🔗 Explore more & Register Now! 

#LakesConference2024 #SustainableWaters #UKIrelandLakes #LoughErne2024 #ConservationConversations