SAVE THE DATE: International Networking event on our future landscapes

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Representatives of the EUROPARC Atlantic Isles and Low Countries Sections have joined forces to create an exciting seminar and workshop that is open to all interested. Indicate your interest now to be the first to know when registration opens!

Fitter for the future – Our evolving landscapes in the 21st century

We invite all EUROPARC members and friends to join a special networking event hosted by EUROPARC Atlantic Isles & Low Countries Sections.

We live and work in a dynamic and rapidly changing world: social, economic and environmental impacts can be observed all around us. Our Protected Areas are increasingly vulnerable to a range of pressures. This necessitates new thinking about management practices, the scale of our work and the alliances required to ensure more effective and integrated responses.

If we need new thinking, how radical should we be and who will be the alliances, people and voices that will bring about change? How do we listen, engage, and support these communities and individuals?

To find practical ways of achieving this, we need to look at the common challenges and consider different ways that protected landscapes and others have started to address these issues. To achieve the goals of 30:30, nature recovery, impacts of climate change, health and wellbeing challenges, and new designations, we need to get broader support for the relevance and benefits of protected landscapes from different stakeholders and the wider population.

This innovative and exciting European networking event, will highlight the need for cross border cooperation to ensure a resilient nature and fitter landscapes emerge from collaboration by exploring Protected Area practice across Europe but particularly on either side of “la Manche”.

Working together, we will discuss current Protected Area designations across Europe and what might be needed in the future that will link and manage nature across landscapes.

Together, we will explore how to meet needs related to access, nature recovery & climate change impacts, along-side possible new cross-sectoral alliances and inclusive stakeholder approaches that will be increasingly required for effective management, at scale. In the run-up to this joint event, EUROPARC Atlantic Isles are also organising a series of webinars and site visits, prior to the face-to-face final seminar in Sheffield.

Join us on the ‘Sustainability Express’!

International networking and knowledge-sharing, without the large carbon footprint: that is the Sustainability Express! Central to this event is the unique workshop, which takes place on the train from the Netherlands to England.

Working and travelling together, we begin our journey together on-site in National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, the Netherlands, before travelling to Sheffield, England, via EUROSTAR. In the field and on the train, we will share experiences, information and knowledge to discuss the question: ‘are our protected landscapes fit for the future?’. The culminating Seminar takes place in Sheffield UK, and this is also open to participants who will not join the Sustainability Express.

Outline programme

We are currently developing the programme. This is the outline programme:

The Warm -Up

To get fitter landscapes mean we need to warm up our creative and critical collective thinking. This starts in the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, the Netherlands. It is a green oasis in the middle of a densely populated area. Due to climate change, the landscape in the National Park is changing, making adaptation to new conditions necessary. This is a real challenge for an area that is in close proximity to urban areas and experiences high visitor numbers. How do we adapt, respond, cooperate and invest to be ready for the future? Expect a full day in the outdoors while discussing burning questions about the relevance of Protected Areas in changing and multifunctional landscapes!

The Circuit Training

Having warmed up our thinking muscles, we put them into practice in an innovative and sustainable moving workshop! Here you join us on the ‘Sustainability Express’ from The Netherlands to England! During an interactive workshop, we will work on shifting mindsets and creating stronger alliances with (new) stakeholders.

The training continues as we look for innovation and impact that will change our landscapes for a fitter future, with a seminar in Sheffield, England. Here you can expect thought-provoking speakers, workshops and loads of opportunities to connect with peers on an international level.

The Cool Down

Hopefully all that creativity will lead to new plans, ideas, projects and of course, international connections and contacts. After this innovative event, you will return fit and ready for the future to improve your Protected Areas practise back home.

The options to join are:

You’ll get the most from the event if you attend the whole experience, but you can of course also join for parts of it. These are the options:

  • Option 1: Join the whole event, from the field trip in Zuid-Kennemerland, to the seminar in Sheffield (please note you’ll have to arrive in the Netherlands on the 17th);
  • Option 2: Join in Brussels on the EUROSTAR ‘Sustainability Express’ to London and then to Sheffield;
  • Option 3: Join in just for the seminar in Sheffield on the 20th and 21st of November.

Cost indication

Final costs will be made available once registration opens. For now, these prices are there to give you an indication of total costs you can expect:

  • Option 1: €350 / 300 GBP – includes the field trip in Zuid-Kennemerland, the Seminar in Sheffield, coffee and lunches + travel from Amsterdam to Sheffield on the ‘Sustainability Express’.
  • Option 2: €275 / 250 GBP – includes the travel from Brussels to Sheffield, the Seminar in Sheffield, coffee and lunches.
  • Option 3: 100 GBP – includes the Seminar in Sheffield, coffee and lunches.

All costs are indicative. Final costs for attending will be made available once registration opens. Further travel costs, as well as accommodation, breakfast, and evening meals are not included and are the responsibility of participants. A range of accommodation options to suit different budgets will be provided once registration opens.

The Field Trip

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, the Netherlands, is a green oasis in the middle of a densely populated area. Due to climate change, the landscape in the National Park is changing, making adaptation to new conditions necessary. This is a real challenge for an area that is in close proximity to urban areas and experiences high visitor numbers. How do we adapt, respond, cooperate and invest to be ready for the future? Expect a full day in the outdoors while discussing burning questions about the relevance of Protected Areas in changing and multifunctional landscapes!

Indicate your interest now

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