Planning for a wetter future

Sheffield City Hall is set to become home to an otter holt next week during a major conference identifying the effects of climate change on the region’s wetlands.

The conference, organised jointly by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly and the Yorkshire and Humber Biodiversity Forum, takes place on 12 December, will bring together planners, policy makers and practitioners from across the region.

The holt will be one of a few unusual exhibitions, including a pond, which the organisers hope will highlight the threat facing the wetlands if climate change continues.

The Biodiversity Forum will be launching their wetland work programme at the conference which will see speakers from the Environment Agency, RSPB and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust discussing regional case studies and projects.

Delegates will also be given an opportunity to learn more about a new biodiversity conservation duty, which came into force earlier this year under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, requiring public bodies to consider biodiversity in all work they undertake.

Lynn Crowe, board member for newly launched organisation Natural England, will give the keynote speech. Other speakers include Robert Stoneman and Jeff Lunn, Co-Chairs of the Biodiversity Forum and Professor Stuart Lane from Durham University.

Workshops will be run in the afternoon to help delegates identify opportunities for projects and how to overcome barriers. They will also highlight existing wetland studies and programmes and give details of the support that can be offered to help deliver specific projects.

*The 12 December conference is being held at Sheffield City Hall from 9.30am – 4.00pm

For more information, contact Ben McCarthy at the Assembly on 01924 331555, email ben.mccarthy@yhassembly.gov.uk