Reducing Risks - Ecosystems, Landuse and Well Being in the UK

Date: 6 – 8 February 2012

Price: £150

Subsidised by the Welsh Government, The Scotish Government & Defra

Course Number: C/03

Course Organisers:
Conor Kretsch, Cooperation on Health and Biodiversity (CoHaB) Initiative and Julia Korn – Wales Biodiversity Partnership with assistance from Charlie Falzon, Countryside Training Partnership.

Co-ordinators/Logistics:
Twm Elias and Beth Cluer, Plas Tan y Bwlch.

The course is run by CCW and the CoHaB Initiative based in Ireland.

In 2010, in common with countries across the European Union, the UK failed to meet the EU target to ‘halt the loss of Biodiversity’.

In times of risk and adversity there is an opportunity to develop our capacity to absorb and adapt to change through a concerted effort to deliver an approach that properly values biodiversity, ecosystems and the benefits supplied.

In 2010 the international initiative The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) published its final report .TEEB demonstrates that the benefits of conserving ecosystems and biodiversity far outweigh the cost of their destruction.

This course will explore the relevance of ecosystems and biodiversity to different sectors and examine the information and tools available to deliver the ecosystem approach

Aims:
To use a broad range of case studies to examine the importance of ecosystems and the goods and services they provide to the economy and society, including support for our health and well-being; and to provide an overview of related policies and plans.

Course Objectives:
• To explore the relevance of biodiversity and ecosystems to our economy and to society.
• Examine how mainstream ecosystem goods and services can be addressed within non-environment areas, especially economic / enterprise development, social development, and public health.
• Explore new approaches to managing land, water and living resources which bring benefits to business and communities and help meet the UK’s obligations under EU and UN agreements and targets.

For Whom?:
Decision makers from sectors within public authorities, the business community and Non Government Organisations from across the UK.

Course Itinerary

Monday, February 6th

11:00 Arrive & Register
11:30 Welcome: Twm Elias, Plas Tan y Bwlch
12:00 Lunch
13:00 What do we mean by reducing risks: Conor Kretsch, CoHAB
13:25 Ecosystem Services Research Update: Shaun Russell
13:50 Introduction to the field trip: Julia Korn CCW
14:00 Leave for Bala Lake
14:30 Arrive: A chance to explore managing the lake and catchment
17:30 Leave for Plas
18:00 Arrive back
19:00 Supper

Tuesday, February 7th

08:15 Breakfast (same time every day)
09:00 Interactive Session-Biodiversity, Ecosystems & Human Well Being
10:00 Contribution of Ecosystems to mental health: Carly Wood
10:30 Ecosystem change & emergence of infectious disease. ZSL
11:00 Coffe
11:30 Case Study-Urban Green infastructure & benefits: Peter Frost
12:00 Panel Discussion
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Spatial Planning & Ecosystems Services-Charlie Faizon CTP
14:00 Introducing links between positive planning for environment
14:30 Human Well Being-Conor Kretsch
15:00 Coffe
15:30 Case Study-Sustanable Urban Planning-Gary Grant (Independent)
16:00 Breakout Session & Report back-The Story So Far-Charlie Faizon
17:15 End
18:30 Evening meal
20:00 Interactive Session on culture-Shelagh Hourahans-Creu-Ad Consultant

Wednesday, February 8th

08:15 Breakfast (same time every day)
09:00 Valuing Biodiversity & Ecosystems-Conor Kretsch
09:45 Economic value of Biodiversity-Mark Everard -Defra
10:30 Coffe
11:00 Case Study 1-Nature and Minerals-Persbective from Industry
11:30 Case Study 2-Nature and Minerals-RSPB
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Climate change and Biodiversity-Collaborative Response
13:30 Participatory approaches to spatial planning-Tim Pagella
14:00 Final Breakout session-Charlie Faizon
15:30 Summing up-Shaun Russell
15:45 Tea/Coffe-close