Summary
Ecological practice is changing rapidly. Increasingly, ecologists and environmental managers are expected not only to protect biodiversity, but also to demonstrate how nature delivers wider benefits for society. Concepts such as ecosystem services and Nature-based Solutions are becoming central to policy, investment, and land management decisions.
The challenge for many practitioners is not recognising the importance of these ideas but translating them into practical approaches applied in everyday work. How can ecosystem services thinking strengthen project design? How can ecologists communicate these benefits effectively to clients and stakeholders? And how can this approach open up new opportunities for the profession?
Description
This in-person only conference will explore how integrating ecosystem services and Nature-based Solutions can strengthen ecological practice and deliver better outcomes for biodiversity, people, and climate resilience. Framing ecological work through the tangible benefits it provides, such as better water quality, carbon storage, flood resilience, soil health, or enhanced wellbeing, can help practitioners communicate more effectively with clients, industry partners, policymakers, and the public.
Confirmed speakers
From Fences to Freedom- A decade of Beaver Recovery in Cornwall - Cheryl Marriott, Director of Nature and People at Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Minding the habitat gap: How species heatmaps can support better ecological decisions making and natures recovery - Clare Pinches , Principal Specialist - new trees and woodlands at Natural England
Driving a Nature Positive Transition with Ecovoltaic - Paul Leonard Wilkinson MCIEEM CEnv, Senior Business Conservation & Ecology Adviser and Samuel Gregory-Manning, Senior Policy Officer – Energy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Steart Marshes: Ecosystem Services in Action - Josh Butterworth MCIEEM, Senior Ecologist at Geckoella Ltd and Alys Laver, Site Manager at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
Connecting Communities with Nature: Delivering Health and Wellbeing Benefits through Community Engagement - Richard Thomas, Group ESG Director at Trustgreen
From Peripheral to Cross-Cutting: How an ecosystem services approach has shifted the role of environmental professionals in local government - Charlotte Evans MCIEEM, Senior Environment Officer, Cornwall Council
From satellite to site: an integrated ecosystem services approach to managing a national water company estate - Charlotte Johnson, Senior Ecologist at Affinity Water Ltd and Jordie Daley, Senior Ecology Solutions Consultant at AiDASH
Developing an integrated nature and carbon strategy for Oxfordshire - Alison Smith, Senior Researcher, Nature Recovery Policy at University of Oxford, Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery
First workshop confirmed
Scaling Ecosystem Services: How Spatial Resolution Shapes Evidence, Decisions, and Outcomes (Workshop) - Dr Katie Medcalf CEnv, MCIEEM, MBSSS, MBES, Environment Director at Environment Systems Ltd
We would love to see you at the Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday in Bristol and our Early Bird tickets are available now until noon on Friday 2nd October 2026.
Registered Practice
If you are a registered practice, please look out for an email from us with a discount code, saving you 15% on the member ticket price. Just add the code when you check out.
Student Draw
If you are a CIEEM student member and would like to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 5 student delegate spaces at the conference please enter the draw by emailing training@cieem.net.
The draw will close on Friday 18th September at noon, and winners will be contacted by Tuesday 22nd September.
Conference Dinner
We are having our conference dinner on the evening of Tuesday 24 November at the Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday in Bristol.
If you would like to join us you can
book your tickets here!
