by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
What are the links between policy, research and practice when considering biodiversity in the context of climate change in coastal, lowland and upland wetlands? This is the question that the World Wetlands Day Conference 2010, by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), will be asking the UK wetland community in early February.
World Wetlands Day marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. CIWEM’s World Wetlands Day Conference is supporting key ideas outlined in the RAMSAR convention and is a major event for the wetland community to meet and share their views. By looking at the similarities and differences in taking action for wetland biodiversity in different habitats, the conference will explore the way that policies, research and practical action need to be joined together to help deliver the most effective outcomes.
This event is relevant for site practitioners who have to meet the specific challenges of site management on a day to day basis and may be planning for climate change adaptation; policy officers who are responsible for drafting policies on wetlands and biodiversity which inform effective practical adaptation and mitigation project, and give clarity to the impacts of climate change; researchers who can update on the latest objective thinking on wetland biodiversity and functioning in the face of climate change; regulators who make the critical links between policy and schemes on the ground; and the wetland community who need to be fully aware of the direction climate change is pushing biodiversity change in the different wetland habitats.
Speakers will include representatives from government agencies, wildlife trusts, universities and consultancies.
The winner of CIWEM Living Wetlands Award for a project that demonstrates a sustainable use of wetland habitats will also be announced.
CIWEM’s World Wetlands Day Conference 2010 is on 2nd – 3rd February in Peterborough.
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management ( CIWEM ) is an independent professional body and a registered charity, advancing the science and practice of water and environmental management for a clean, green and sustainable world.
The CIWEM World Wetlands Day Conference 2010 is on 2nd – 3rd February in Peterborough. The theme for this year is wetlands, biodiversity and climate. For more information, go to www.ciwem.org/events.
Sponsors of the CIWEM World Wetlands Day Conference are Atkins, Defra, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, Royal Haskoning, WWT, and Natural England.
© 2010
