Debates & Lectures

Since its inception, the Society has held a number of debates and research lectures that examine the important contemporary issues affecting Dartmoor and its future.

Click the links below to read the proceedings of each event which are recorded in substantial detail. The events are listed most recent first.

Hallowed Turf: Perspectives on the Conservation of Dartmoor’s Blanket Peat – 12 November 2021. A report will be published here shortly.
The Secret Life of Dartmoor Birds: Science for Survival? – 12th October 2019.
Stakeholder Attitudes to the Narratives of the Dartmoor Commons: Tradition and the Search for Consensus in a Time of Change by Adrian Colston – 9th November 2018.
Are We Using Dartmoor’s Stone Resources Wisely? – 20th October 2018.
Sabine Baring-Gould and his Search for Folk Songs on Dartmoor by Martin Graebe – 10th November 2017.
The Dartmoor Conchies by Simon Dell – 11th November 2016.
Return of the Wildwood? – Is Rewilding the Future for Dartmoor? – 29th October 2016.

Dartmoor Weather – Love It or Hate It! by Will Hand – 13th November 2015.
Pony Herds and Management on Dartmoor – New Observations by Robyn Petrie-Ritchie – 31st October 2014.
What Future for Railways and Their Heritage on Dartmoor? –11th October 2014.
Exploring Dartmoor’s Skin: from Cut Hill to Hameldown, Drogo and Tottiford – the Soils of Chagford, Moretonhampstead and Beyond by Tim Harrod – 8th November 2013.

What Future for Ponies on Dartmoor? – 5th October 2013.
The Glaciation of Dartmoor by Dr. Stephan Harrison– 9th November 2012.
Environment, Tradition and Adventure: Metalmining on and around Dartmoor in the 18th and 19th centuries by Phil Newman – 23rd November 2011.
Dartmoor’s Archaeological Heritage and its Conservation 1951–2011: New Discoveries – New Attitudes – New Issues – 24th September 2011.
The sustainable carbon management of British blanket peatlands: a case study on Dartmoor by Lauren Parry– 17th November 2010.
What Future for Dartmoor Woodlands? – 23rd October 2010.
Dartmoor Churches & Chapels – Community & Conservation – 12th September 2009.
Facing Sin – Image and Identity on Medieval Dartmoor by Sue Andrew (Newsletter 34, pp15–21) – 20th November 2008.
What Future for Dartmoor’s Water Resources? – 27th September 2008.
Climate and Environmental Change on Dartmoor: lessons from archaeology and palaeoecology by Ralph Fyfe (Newsletter 31, pp11–17) – 7th November 2007.
What Future for the Dartmoor Village? – 29th September 2007.
Designer Wilderness? What Future for Dartmoor’s Vegetation? – 23rd September 2006.
The Future for Dartmoor’s Orchards – 1st October 2005.
China Clay on Dartmoor – 2nd October 2004.
The Military on Dartmoor – 27th September 2003.
Renewable Energy on Dartmoor – 19th October 2002.
Is a National Park Good for Dartmoor? – 29th September 2001.