Landscape Information Snippets

What do you do and what do you know?

We want to help you let others know what you do. We would be delighted to receive abstracts, reports, articles, or links to articles etc. from members to include in the newsletter.

We are also keen to pass on relevant information to colleagues Please let us know of any links to publications, reports etc. that you think would be useful to members For example, the RSPB has a ‘Futurescapes’ project which is the RSPS’s name for their contribution to landscape-scale conservation, if you are not a member you may not know about it. (see http://www.rspb.org.uk/futurescapes/)

Are You Going To the World Congress in Beijing?

In these times of fiscal prudence the committee would be interested to know who is planning to go to Beijing for the World Congress in August 2011. If you are planning to go could you please contact a committee member to let us know so we can get a feel for what presence  there is likely to be from these shores.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency Position Statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency recently published its new biodiversity position statement .  The statement defines SEPA's role in delivering its biodiversity duties. In particular, it clarifies how we they can deliver biodiversity through their  regulatory functions and through partnership working. As part of the Scottish Biodiversity Committee, the Scottish Government has made it very clear that SEPA, along with partner public agencies, has a key responsibility in delivering biodiversity conservation in Scotland.  The statement is accompanied by a biodiversity leaflet, Protecting biodiversity in Scotland, which gives a general overview of how they deliver biodiversity work. SEPA is not alone in delivering these aspects though as The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 puts this biodiversity duty on all public bodies in Scotland (agencies, local authorities, etc).

Scottish Biodiversity Conference

The 3rd Scottish Biodiversity Conference: ‘Bringing People and Biodiversity Together’ will be held on 24-25 August 2010 at Strathclyde University, McCance Building, John Anderson Campus, Glasgow. The conference aims to bring researchers and practitioners together to:

  • examine new approaches in biodiversity delivery
  • demonstrate how people and biodiversity are linked
  • explore opportunities for mainstreaming biodiversity

The conference is aimed at biodiversity practitioners, Local Authority staff (particularly those working in environment, health and education), academics, students and individuals who are interested in biodiversity conservation.

  • Day 1 – Field Trips
  • Day 2 – Presentations and lunch-time poster session

There is no fee to attend. If you are interested in attending please register by navigating to the doodle link. Once you have registered you will be sent a conference pack. http://www.doodle.com/7akdzksrsdpe53g9 If you require any further information please email Morag Elliot at BIT [at] snh [dot] gov [dot] uk or telephone the SNH Biodiversity Team 01463 725325. (This date has now passed, but please contact Morag for any further information—Ed)

Late News: ialeUK Conference 2011: Provisional dates & Venue

We are hoping that the 2011 ialeUK conference will be held from 5th-8th September 2011 at the Telford campus of the University of Wolverhampton. Negotiations are currently taking place to secure the venue and to confirm final dates. At the moment the theme is likely to be general in nature with themed sessions emerging when the range of submissions is looked at. So make a note in your diaries and watch the iale website and newsletters for developments

Useful databases for members

We are currently working on a database of relevant linked organisations and also educational courses which have a direct and explicit link to landscape ecology in the UK. We are hoping that this will come on-line soon in the members area of the website.

Potential merger for the CMA and IEEM?

Members of the Countryside Management Association and the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management have been asked for their views on a possible merger between the two organisations. Both organisations are involved in aspects of landscape-scale management and training of professionals in these areas and are near the top of our draft database of useful organisations (see above). For further details see the CMA website

CRC Proposes Rethink For Conservation of Uplands

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC)  has concluded that upland areas need a strategic overhaul in terms of how they are managed and conserved for both biodiversity and communities. The new emphasis would be on a much more coordinated and integrated approach than currently exists. Such a change in direction would undoubtedly lead to a widespread debate—one in which landscape ecologists could well have an important say. See the CRC website for more information.

Mission Statement Now Published

After much debate and consultation the new, updated ialeUK mission statement is now published on the website (http://iale.org.uk/mission) . This will now provide the basis for guidance for ialeUK over the next few years.