Ecosystems Knowledge Network news, events and resources.

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Dear <<First Name>>,

At the start of the COP15 biodiversity summit, the UN Secretary-General spoke of the need for a "peace pact with nature". Many will embrace the sentiment of avoiding the current negative relationship between people and nature. But, at Ecosystems Knowledge Network, we aim for more than just 'peace' with nature. We believe that the environment will be restored most effectively if it is made relevant to people's needs, aspirations and beliefs. We also believe that our members are the ones who can put this into practice throughout these islands. How will you harness the positive role of nature in people's lives in 2023?

Stuart Robertson
EKN's Knowledge Exchange Specialist

National Parks eye net zero
Highlands Rewilding Natural Capital Report
Integrating carbon finance and community
Nature Finance Toolkit

Go to news

Training: net gains for the environment
Game On for Nature Festival 2023
Green Infrastructure Framework launch

Go to events

Keep up-to-date on nature finance
Connecting health with access to the natural outdoors
Conservation Covenants Guidance
Tool Assessor

Go to resources

News

National Parks eye net zero

Cairngorms and New Forest seek to be front-runners

The Cairngorms National Park could be net zero within the next three years according to new analysis by carbon accounting specialists. Small World Consulting was commissioned by all 15 UK national parks to produce detailed greenhouse gas emissions assessments. Find out more.

In a related announcement, the New Forest National Park has committed to work with partners and communities to make the National Park ‘net zero with nature’ by 2050. It has designed an extensive Framework for Action as well as commissioning a report on how the New Forest National Park can reach net zero. Find out more here.

Highlands Rewilding Natural Capital Report

Second Natural Capital Report from Highlands Rewilding

Highlands Rewilding Limited (formerly Bunloit Rewilding) seeks to scale-up nature recovery and community prosperity in the Scottish Highlands and uplands. Since the company's first Natural Capital Report last year, the company has developed rapidly, including through the purchase of a second estate, Beldorney, in Aberdeenshire. The work to determine the environmental baseline for Beldorney is the focus of a second Natural Capital Report.
Read more and access the report here.

Integrating carbon finance and community

Pioneering an approach for Scotland and beyond

As part of a package of work to explore green recovery opportunities in Argyll and Bute, Highlands & Islands Enterprise commissioned the development of an Integrated Carbon Management Plan for communities. The initial focus is on carbon sequestration around the island of Islay. The work identified that there are many ways in which communities can benefit, not just from carbon sequestration but from the wider natural capital value of Argyll and Bute. Read more here.

Nature Finance Toolkit

Step-by-step guidance and case studies

The Green Finance Institute has launched the Investment Readiness Project Toolkit, a new online platform that will accelerate the development of investment-ready nature-based projects in the UK. It is based on eight milestones from project scoping to legal contracts. Find out more here.

Events

Delivering net gains for the environment through built development

Foundations course, online 17th & 19th January 2022
This course is for those who need to know how net gains for the environment can be implemented for projects to deliver added value for clients and customers. It is delivered by experts from WSP, the developers of the NATURE Tool (Nature Assessment Tool for Urban and Rural Environments); a user-friendly and easy-to-use Excel tool designed to assess the impact of changes in land use and management with the aim of achieving net gains for the environment.
Find out more and register here.

The future of Environmental Engagement

Following the success of EKN's inaugural online Game On for Nature (2022) Conference this year, we are planning ahead for the 2023 event. We have set our sights on a bigger event for 2023, taking place in the week of 19th June 2023. We are planning a festival format with live online events throughout the week (talks, workshops, demonstrations, and pre-recorded ‘in-conversation’ pieces premiering during the week) all culminating in a live event streamed featuring a live studio audience.

Are there projects that you are aware of that could feature in our programme of events in 2023, including Game On for Nature? If so contact us via conference@ecosystemsknowledge.net

Green Infrastructure Framework launch

Online launch event, 31st January 2023

Green infrastructure is a term used to refer to the network of natural features that deliver value for people in any locality. The forthcoming Green Infrastructure Framework fulfills a commitment in HM Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan to review and refresh the standards for the provision of green infrastructure in England. Register for free for the launch event.

Resources

Keep up-to-date on nature finance

Free resource

As part of its year-round programme of work on private finance for the stewardship of land, water and nature, Ecosystems Knowledge Network hosts a Nature-Based Finance Learning Hub. In connection with this, you can join a Learning Group on the topic. Join here.

Connecting health with access to the natural outdoors

Free resource

A new briefing from the National Association of Social Prescribing (NASP) summarises the key findings from a rapid evidence review, commissioned by NHS. It states that "evidence consistently shows a positive relationship between spending time in nature or exposure to nature and good health and wellbeing". Access the briefing and full report.

The NASP briefing has been published alongside new reports from Natural England on the links between natural environments and mental health, as well as physical health.

Conservation Covenants Guidance

How to create and implement a conservation covenant

A conservation covenant agreement is a private, voluntary agreement to conserve the natural or heritage features of the land. This can include buildings on the land. The parts of a conservation covenant agreement which set out what a landowner and responsible body must or must not do to help conserve the land become legally binding as a conservation covenant.
This guide is for landowners and potential responsible bodies.

Tool Assessor

Your one stop shop for Tool guidance

Tool Assessor is a free service, from the Ecosystems Knowledge Network, that provides summary information about ways that show the value of the natural environment in society. This includes, for example, the role of natural features in reducing flood risk, improving health and storing carbon. Tool Assessor is under constant review any updates and/or new tools are always welcome. Visit tool assessor here.

Good things to share?

Send us your news - do you have project news or reports you want to share, new tools or other resources? Let us know via info@ecosystemsknowledge.net

An award winning hub for shared learning!

Ecosystems Knowledge Network is delighted to share that it has won the 'Best Practice - Knowledge Sharing' award in the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management 2021 Awards. Thank you for the part that you play in our unique UK-wide knowledge-sharing work. Read more about the awards here.

The Ecosystems Knowledge Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charities Commission for England and Wales (No. 1159867) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (No. SC045732).

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