Wetlands mean business: WWT conference brings sectors together
Flooding and drought could be addressed more effectively if businesses and charities shared resources. That's the message of the Wetland Futures conference to be held this autumn.
Industry, academia, the public sector and environmental NGOs will come together on 1 and 2 October at the Priory Street Centre, York to discuss pioneering approaches to water management and wetland restoration.
Run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Wetland Futures promises insights into simultaneously improving business performance and the well-being of communities and wildlife.
Registration is open now at www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandfutures.
WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray said:
“More than wildlife has suffered from the loss of natural wetlands; many businesses that are reliant on water have had to come up with solutions to cope.
“With drought and flood now a regular, if unpredictable, fixture on our calendar; it’s widely recognised that we need to restore the natural function of wetlands in order to cope. A lot of good work is already being done, so it’s crucial that we share the best of this knowledge for our mutual benefit, and Wetland Futures will be the forum at which to do that.”
The keynote address will be given by environmental consultant and broadcaster, Professor Chris Baines.
The programme also covers:
- The economics of valuing nature and wetlands
- How wetlands benefit both urban and rural communities
- How conserving and recreating wetlands and wildlife helps: prevent flooding, improve human well-being, increase resilience to climate change and food security and tackle diffuse water pollution.
Delegates will hear perspectives from different sectors and be introduced to practical tools and useful case studies to help inform their decision making, as well as being given a forum in which to meet contacts from outside their sector.
Wetland Futures is hosted by WWT in association with ALGE, BESS, Cranfield University, Environment Agency, National Trust, Natural England, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts, and has been sponsored by Severn Trent Water.
