Ecological Connectivity Conservation webinar recording now available

The recording of the Ecological Connectivity Conservation webinar held on 1st June 2021 is now available to view on the IUCN National Committee UK YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/SOmmSU8vEsc

_{Photo credit: Lewis Clarke via Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Mid Devon, Upexe and Countryside – geograph.org.uk – 1282797.jpg}

This webinar brings together international, national and local expertise in ecological connectivity conservation, together with a representative of business interests in this field. Introducing the IUCN Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors published last year, we examine how these might help in delivering outcomes from the Lawton Report, England’s 25 year plan and nature networks, as well as relevant activity in other home nations of the UK. We also hope to better understand the practical application of such principles in practice and how they can be applied in the corporate sector.

Speakers:

Pamela Abbott chaired this event. Pamela’s career in nature conservation includes senior positions with Natural England, UNEP-WCMC (the World Conservation Monitoring Centre ) and, most recently, as CEO of Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Dr Gary Tabor is one of the authors of the new IUCN Guidelines and is President of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation – an organization that is focused on advancing the science, policy and practice of ecological connectivity. His presentation is ‘The emergence of ecological connectivity as a resilient conservation practice’.

Dr Humphrey Crick is Principal Specialist in Conservation Ecology in the Chief Scientist’s Directorate at Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. His presentation is ‘Planning for connectivity in England’s highly fragmented landscape’.

Anne Halpin and Simon Clarke from Somerset Wildlife Trust speak on experiences of practically applying ecological connectivity ‘on the ground’ in “Developing a Nature Recovery Network in Somerset”. Anne Halpin is lead Monitoring and Management Planning Ecologist and has worked with partners to develop the first draft of Somerset’s Nature Recovery Network. Simon Clarke is SWT’s Head of Nature Recovery and is coordinating the delivery of the Somerset Local Nature Partnerships emerging Nature Recovery Strategy.

Marcelo Lima, Biodiversity Manager at CDP Worldwide shows how companies can/should include connectivity conservation in their corporate biodiversity strategy/biodiversity action plans. His presentation is ‘Linking companies and capitals markets with Nature: How Connectivity Conservation can increase corporate biodiversity performance’.