Register now for the first big get-together on Nature Connectivity in Belgium to kick off a better knowledge exchange, collaboration and joined vision between all the different actors that are currently contributing to this theme in Belgium.
Alongside other interregional partners, local governments and other organizations you can help to align current efforts, prepare for future challenges and brainstorm about important topics such as spatial planning, governance, financing, monitoring and research.
This event is organized by Life B4B, Departement Omgeving (Flemish Department of Spatial Planning and Environment) and Vogelbescherming Vlaanderen( Flemish Bird Protection Association).
Deadline for registration is 25 October 2024 at 12.00
Practical
When: 6 November 2024: coffee at 9:00 - start at 9:30 - closing at 16:00
Where: Hendrik Conscience building, Koning Albert II-laan 15, 1210 Brussels
(near Brussels-North train station)
Language used: English
This event is free but registration is required
Morning program
9:30 Opening session
- Welcome speech by Toon Denys, secretary-general Departement Omgeving (Flemish Department of Spatial Planning and environment)
- VAPEO (Vlaams Actie Programma Ecologische Ontsnippering/Flemish Action Program Ecological Defragmentation): state of play and first insights for the future, as an introduction to:
- Results of the survey ‘Nature connectivity in Belgium’ conducted by Life B4B, Vogelbescherming Vlaanderen and Departement Omgeving – Karolien Horckmans, Department Omgeving
10:00 Inspirational session of short presentations based on the survey entrees
- NaturaConnect - NaturaConnect aims to support countries in developing a blueprint for a coherent Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) of conserved areas that protect at least 30% of land in the European Union, with at least one third of it under strict protection. The project unites universities and research institutes, government bodies and non-governmental organisations, working together with key stakeholders to create targeted data, knowledge and tools, and build the capacity needed to support European Union Member - Jeremy Dertien, Postdoctoral Researcher,
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Leipzig, Germany
- Working on nature connections in urban ecosystems - the case of light pollution - From Batlight District Jette to Life B4B : Setting up a light reduction agenda for Natura 2000 areas in the Brussels region in order to lower the impact of public lighting on biodiversity by 2030 - Nathan Brison – Bruxelles Environment
- Working on nature connections within the Flemish Provinces - Starting from the legal responsibility that provinces have to work on nature connections, 3 Flemish provinces have developed a scientific approach towards connectivity planning. This approach is the base towards implementation by different organisations, such as the Regionale Landschappen/regional landscape organisations, the Bosgroepen/Flemish Forest Associations and so on – Province of Antwerpen, Province of Limburg en Province of Oost-Vlaanderen
- Implementation of species connections with the help of European funding – Life Connexions - In 2021 began a new LIFE project called “Priority actions for grasslands, forests and associated species connections in Wallonia and Great East region (FR)” or “LIFE Connexions” for short. In continuation of the previous “LIFE Herbages” and “LIFE Prairies Bocagères” projects, the aim is to restore the biodiversity on 500 hectares of threatened natural habitats at least, on a large area including 41 Natura 2000’s sites. Furthermore, this project includes actions for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel and the Violet Copper - Sarah Wautelet – Natagora
- Building a future for lynx in Belgium - For several years now, WWF has been studying Belgium's potential for the sustainable return of the lynx. Over the past year, this work intensified in collaboration with two key partners: the new Semois Valley National Park and the University of Liège (Gembloux). The efforts of the project focus particularly on the fragmentation of the species' potential habitat in Belgium and the urgent need to restore connectivity. WWF Belgium, Semois Valley National Park and the University of Liège (Gembloux)
- Nederlands Natuur Netwerk/Nature Network Netherlands (NNN) -Development of the Ecologische Hoofd Structuur (EHS), which formed the basis for the NNN, and the investment programs for connectivity. - Theo van der Sluis – Wageningen Environmental Research
- Life TIGRA (Transport Infrastructure and GReen Appendices - Co-building a Life-project in Belgium in order to mobilize funding for enhancing the ecological potential of area’s linked to transportation infrastructure in close collaboration between the regions – Eric Joiris – Service Public de Wallonie (SPW – Walloon Government)
Lunch (12:00)
Afternoon program
Workshops (every attendee will have the option to join two different workshops)
- Towards an integrated spatial vision: Translation of European goals into a spatial vision that ensures nature connections between regions and neighbouring countries. Brainstorm session about available data, priorities, necessary output for the different actors and further approach.
- Governance: Interactive brainstorm session about responsibilities, task division and commitments of the different actors involved. How to reach maximum input by aligning efforts and joined follow-up? How do we proceed with collaborations and consultations between different levels of government and other organizations?
- Mobilisation of additional resources: Which opportunities are already in place to mobilise resources within Belgium and Europe? What are the major funding gaps? Can we detect the biggest needs/priorities for Belgium and combine our efforts towards these goals? Co-building a Life-project as a concrete example of a project proposal within a European funding programme.
- Wildlife connectivity & capacity building: Identifying knowledge gaps regarding animal suitability of connectivity measures and population genetics. State of play concerning monitoring and research and discussion about knowledge exchange, aligning and upscaling of research efforts.
Wrap-up of the day
More info
We will welcome you in the Conscience building with coffee and tea from 9:00 to 9:30. The program starts at 9:30 with a word of welcome from Toon Denys, secretary-general of Departement Omgeving. This is followed by a presentation of the results and conclusions from a recent survey on Nature Connectivity conducted by the Life B4B project. From 10:00 until 11:50 you will join a plenary session with four inspirational presentations based on the survey entrees. This inspirational session is followed by a 10-minute introduction of the workshops for the afternoon programme and an hour-long lunch break.
The workshops will start at 13:00 and take one hour and 15 minutes each. When you register for the get-together, you will be asked to rank four themes (Towards an integrated spatial vision – Governance - Mobilisation of additional resources - Wildlife connectivity & capacity building)
Your ranking of these themes will determine which workshops you will follow, together with the maximum capacity of each session and a balanced composition of partners. After the workshops, at 15:40, we will conclude the day with a short discussion. We will determine what next steps to take, and take a group picture. The event ends at 16:00.
Photo - Departement Omgeving
