Ecosystems Knowledge Network news, events and resources.

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Dear <<First Name>>,

At EKN, our vision is for a time when everyone seeks to maximise all the good things that a healthy environment does for people. As a member of this network, you have a vital role in fulfilling this positive view of the future.

We provide this e-news each month to help you stay connected with people-centred environmental restoration activity throughout these islands. Make the most of EKN as your place to learn and share. Tell us what your knowledge needs are. Let us know what innovation and insight you have that we could help make more discoverable.

Kind regards,

Mark Grundy

News

Events

Resources

News

Welsh seagrass receives funding support

Welsh Nature Networks Fund

Seagrasses live in shallow, sheltered areas of coastline. The habitat they form is gaining international recognition because of its carbon sequestration capacity and importance for biodiversity. Project Seagrass is one beneficiary of a new £8 million funding from the Welsh Nature Networks Fund. The money will be used to establish seagrass 'nurseries' off the coast of Pembrokeshire, in Carmarthen Bay, and in the Severn Estuary. The Welsh Government's Nature Networks Fund is delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. Read more.

University seeks net zero through habitat restoration

Woodland and peatland

The University of Edinburgh is to work with partners across Scotland to plant several million trees (a woodland equivalent to 20 or more 18-hole golf courses) and restore at least 855 hectares of peatland (equivalent to 15% of the area of Loch Ness). As well as the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, public access and biodiversity benefit is also a key goal. A 431-hectare site overlooking the Ochil Hills in Stirlingshire and 26 hectares in the Pentland Hills Regional Park near Edinburgh are the first of several sites that will be regenerated. Read more.

Local Recovery Strategies in development

New strategies across 48 local authorities in England

Development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) is underway across England's Combined Authorities, County and Unitary Councils. The strategies are to consolidate local priorities for nature recovery and align these with national biodiversity targets. A recent blog by Defra illustrates this process, providing insight into the LNRS for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Read more.

River Otter Landscape Adaptation Project complete

Building resilience to flood risk

The River Otter project has reconnected the River Otter, estuary, and its historic floodplain and created 55 hectares of wetland. The project makes homes, businesses and community infrastructure more resilient to the impacts of sea level rise and river flooding, which were increasing the risk of failure for the 200-year-old tidal embankment. This also aims to compensate for regional habitat losses, supporting a nationally rare wildlife habitat for wetland birds. Read more.

Community Green Spaces Fund in England

Supporting rural nature spaces

A £7 million Community Green Spaces Fund has been created by HM Government to facilitate the creation of community orchards, kitchen gardens and 'natural play' areas across rural England. Projects seeking support should develop recreational opportunities in greenspaces and help to fulfil the ambition that no one should live more than a 15-minute walk from greenspace. Read more. A similar urban-focused fund has run in recent years across Greater Manchester.

Opening for tickets next week! Pre-register now so you can take advantage of the early bird offer. The Nature Tech Expo takes place in Leeds on 25th & 26th June.
The Nature Tech 2024 expo will give you an unparalleled opportunity to find out more about cutting-edge services and innovations from leading organisations.
Find out more

Events

Belmont Estate

Webinar, 16th April 2024, EKN - last chance to register!
Join this webinar to discover how the Belmont Estate near Bristol is using ecosystem restoration as a means to deliver public benefit through mechanisms such as Biodiversity Net Gain. 'Rewilding' and 'rewetting' the landscape, the Estate is providing both environmental and community benefits. Register now.

Northern Ireland Environment Forum 2024

Conference, 18th April 2024, Belfast
agendaNI's conference on environmental policy and management will provide an opportunity for professionals with a role in improving Northern Ireland’s natural environment. Speakers include the Office for Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Wales and Business for Biodiversity Ireland. EKN will be there with a stand. Register now.

Wilder Carbon - update on projects and buyers, and plans for a Nature and Climate Credit

Webinar, 9th May 2024, hosted by EKN
The Wilder Carbon Standard ensures that high-quality conservation projects delivered in the UK result in long-term removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as well as measurable biodiversity gains. In this webinar, Wilder Carbon will provide an update on the project pipeline and buyer activity and outline its ambitions for a new bundled nature and climate credit. A buyer perspective will be provided by 'vertical farm' specialist, Grow Up Farms. Book now.

RECLAIM Network Plus Conference 2024

Conference, 23rd May 2024, London
The RECLAIM Network Plus Conference will showcase the relationship between green, blue, and grey infrastructure best practice. The programme features artists, researchers, and local government representatives. This event is an opportunity for professionals who want to build resilience and prosperity through infrastructure and facilitate knowledge exchange. Register now.

Nature-based Solutions Conference 2024

Conference, 18-20th June 2024, Oxford
This three-day conference will feature public and private sector professionals as well as Indigenous voices from around the world. Sessions will focus on evidence for nature-based solutions beyond climate change mitigation, for human and ecological health, climate change adaptation, humanitarian crises and food security and the role of adaptive management in resilience. Book now.

Nature Tech 2024

Expo, 25th & 26th June 2024, Leeds
This brand new EKN event is the place to discover how digital technologies and big data can transform nature recovery in the UK and beyond. An essential event for all engaged in nature recovery, including public bodies, built infrastructure developers, environmental initiatives, and digital technology providers. Pre-register now.

ReMeMaRe 2024

Conference, 10th July 2024, Scarborough
Ocean & Coastal Futures’ 2024 conference on for Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef provides a space for knowledge exchange and discussion on the latest developments in coastal restoration science, practice, and policy. Sessions include ‘Investing in Restoration’, exploring investor confidence, and ‘Restoration through collaboration, exploring the multiple benefits of working through partnerships, in communities, and the additional societal well-being this participation provides. Book now.

Feedback needed for new global Green Infrastructure principles

What makes good green infrastructure? Researchers at the Environmental Change Institute are developing a set of 15 global principles for designing and planning high quality green infrastructure using a nature-based solutions framework, to maximise benefits for biodiversity and people. Please complete this short survey before the 17th April to support this research.

Resources

UKGBC Nature and Biodiversity Learning Programme

This new programme from UKGBC looks to engage with alternative perspectives that reframes the relationship between humans and nature, and how to put these values at the heart of decision-making. Divided into workshops, masterclasses and webinars, the course explores topics such as biodiversity net gain, nature-related disclosure, embodied ecological impacts or biophilic design. Read more.

Knepp Wildland Carbon Project Report

Arup have released a report for the Knepp Wildland Carbon Project, which studies the effectiveness of rewilding across the UK. The report provides a benchmark in nature restoration data, which could allow similar projects to engage with carbon and biodiversity credit bundling, achieve higher prices in ecosystems markets and attract investment for habitat restoration projects. The research, led by the Knepp estate, involved partners Arup, Nattergal, Agricarbon, Treeconomy, and Queen Mary University London. Read more.

Building a nature-positive business strategy: Measuring impacts, reducing risks and taking action

Watch this webinar from the Environment Bank which examines the development of a comprehensive nature strategy for business sustainability. This includes disclosure of nature-related risk and impact throughout the supply chain and taking steps to reduce it. Watch now.

Help us to help you!

EKN member survey - final call

Thank you to all who have participated in our annual member survey. It is not too late to share your views and inform our work programme. Participants have the option to enter to win one of 3 National Book Tokens.

Take part here.

An award winning hub for shared learning!

Ecosystems Knowledge Network winner of the 'Best Practice - Knowledge Sharing' award in the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management 2021 Awards. Thank you for your part 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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