Bristol To Host Key Nature and Wellbeing Summit

A Nature and Wellbeing Summit is to be hosted by Bristol, the European Green Capital 2015, bringing together leading UK and European researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to discuss the value of nature in our society, specifically focusing on landscapes and nature-based solutions for health and wellbeing.

The summit, which will be organised by the National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB and Bristol 2015, will consider how nature conservation organisations, local and national government, business, communities and key sectors, such as health and wellbeing can work collaboratively in ways to protect wildlife as well as bringing about its recovery and take action to work with nature to help with current economic and social challenges.

The summit follows the publication of the State of Nature Report in 2013 which, for the first time, described the overall declines of UK wildlife, and set a clear challenge for all parties to work together in response.  Recently, a group of nature conservation organisations have called for A Nature and Wellbeing Act to commit future governments to formally acknowledge nature’s value to society and work to bring about its recovery for the benefit of wildlife and people. The themes of this Act will be central to the discussions held at the summit.

The first day's theme is ‘landscape-scale conservation’ with a keynote speech by leading UK ecologist Professor Sir John Lawton, the Vice President of the RSPB, President of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and a Life Fellow of WWF-UK. He led an independent review of wildlife sites in England and the connections between them. The review was established to look at whether they're capable of responding to and adapting to the mounting challenges of climate change and other demands our land faces. Recommendations were made by it to help achieve a healthy natural environment that will allow nature to thrive. Professor Lawton will speak about the importance of re-connecting nature-rich places across whole landscapes. This part of the conference is funded through the EU LIFE programme and will be attended by over 150 practitioners.

On the evening of Wednesday 4 March there will be a free event open to the public. ‘Nature – our BIG green ally’ will see expert panellists debate how recovery of the natural world can lead to a fairer and more just society, with panelists Simon King OBE (The Wildlife Trusts’ president), Miranda Krestovnikoff (RSPB president), Stephanie Hilborne OBE (The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive) and Professor Sir John Lawton.

Towards a Daily Dose of Nature, the title of the second day, is committed to exploring how the value of nature can be taken from the fringe of the health, education and planning professions, to a normal part of these vital public services. This day is funded by Bristol 2015 as part of its European Green Capital programme of activity. Speakers include the deputy director of the World health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments at UWE, Prof. Marcus Grant, GP Dr. William Bird MBE, as well as naturalist, TV producer and author Stephen Moss.

Professor Sir John Lawton, said: “Environmental protection is still seen by some as an impediment to a successful economy. This antediluvian view has no place in how we think about, and organise society in the 21st century. Healthy minds and bodies are nurtured by a healthy environment, and the work nature does for us in myriads of ways underpin our very existence as an advanced society. We ignore (or worse trash) the natural world at our peril; in contrast, this wonderful event will showcase what can be achieved for the benefits of people and wildlife.”

Miranda Krestovnikoff, Bristol 2015 ambassador, said;  “Many of the biggest challenges our society faces today are linked to the condition of the natural world. The wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand, and Bristol as European Green Capital in 2015, provides a perfect backdrop to these events.”

Professor Marcus Grant, deputy director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments at UWE, said:  “ The evidence base and much recent good practice proves that we can support human health and well-being through urban nature; this starkly contrasts with the current way we organise approaches to both health and nature in our great cities. Those involved with city development need to show bravery, creativity and leadership  to break through the barriers so that nature based solutions can lead to better well-being -  I look forward to this event signalling an epidemic of good sense. ”

Members of the public can book to attend the evening event Nature: Our Big Green Ally by visiting:

http://www.ideasfestival.co.uk/events/nature-big-green-ally