Summary
We expect that 2026 will be no less turbulent than the last year. The landscape for ecological practice is shifting rapidly, with clear contradictions from politicians and policymakers on the importance of nature recovery and the desire to weaken environmental protections. Within the frameworks set by governments, ethical and skilled ecologists and environmental managers throughout the UK and Ireland continue to work with clients and stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcomes for nature and people.
Keynote speaker:
James Scott - Group Director of Strategy and Planning and a founder member of master developer at Urban&Civic.
Speakers confirmed:
- 'Resilient by Nature: a process to integrate Climate Resilience into Biodiversity Net Gain' - Dr Julia Baker CEnv MCIEEM, Technical Director, Nature Services, Mott MacDonald and Dylan Pritchard C.WEM CIWEM, Senior Consultant, Climate Resilience, Mott MacDonald
- 'Nevendon Washland Nature reserve – from species mitigation to Biodiversity Net Gain' - Mr Jonathan Cranfield MCIEEM, Director/Principal Ecologist, Herpetologic Ltd
- ‘Where do we go from here? - how we need to redeploy our expertise to build a nature positive future in a changing policy environment’ - Jon Davies BSc MSc CEnv CEcol FCIEEM, Director, RSK Wilding and Dr Tim Graham MCIEEM, Associate Director, , RSK Wilding
- ‘Multipurpose Ecology Mitigation as a Driver for Wider Societal Value’ - Harriet Webb CEcol CEnv FCIEEM, Technical Director Ecology at Arcadis and Vice President (Wales) CIEEM
- ‘Resilient by Nature: a process to integrate Climate Resilience into Biodiversity Net Gain’ - Dr Julia Baker CEnv MCIEEM, Technical Director, Nature Services, Mott MacDonald and Dylan Pritchard C.WEM CIWEM, Senior Consultant, Climate Resilience, Mott MacDonald
- ‘Strategic delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain’ - Lisa Bulmer BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM, Partner, Natural Capital, Bidwells LLP
- ‘Implementation of BNG on large scale brownfield sites (case study using of BNG Rule 4)’ - Steph Davies MCIEEM, Principal Ecologist and Sian Jones MSc MCIEEM, Technical Director – Ecology, Arcadis
- ‘Nature-Led Development: The Value of Early Collaboration in Habitat Success’ - Richard Thomas, Group ESG Director at Trustgreen
- ‘Connecting Places Naturally: Cockcrow Heathland Bridge’ - Victoria Gilbey MCIEEM CEnv, Associate Director (Ecology), AtkinsRealis and Will Bond MCIEEM, MRICS, MI Soil Sci, Director, Alaska Ecological Contracting Ltd
- ‘The Green Thread: Holding Ecological Intent Through the Life of Development’ - Mike Oxford, Professional Practice Manager, CIEEM
- ‘Being a better ecologist’ - Natalie Walker MCIEEM CEnv, Development Officer Ecology, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Description
This conference will shine a spotlight on the work of passionate practitioners who understand how to deliver the real win-wins, and who can demonstrate, through practical examples, how high-quality ecology adds value to projects, places and communities.
Alongside celebrating what already works, we also want to look beyond the current policy turmoil and create space for forward-thinking, creative, and practical ideas that can inform the next chapter of nature-positive planning. By bringing together ecologists, planners, developers, land managers, policy specialists and decision-makers, we aim to share concrete lessons, robust evidence, and best-practice approaches that others can take away and apply in their own work.
Bookings are open for this event. So if you would like to book early please click on the login to Book button below. Our Early Bird ticket price ends on 20th February.
Student Draw
If you are a CIEEM Student Member and would like to enter our free draw to win 1 of 5 student delegate spaces, then please email training@cieem.net. The draw closes at noon on Wednesday 11th February and winners will be notified by Friday 13th February.
