Training – Ecosystem Services for site managers

Time: 8th to 9th May 2018.
Location: Wageningen Environmental Research, The Netherlands 
Organisers: Eurosite and EKLIPSE

This two-day course provided managers of protected sites with the necessary knowledge and steps to take in achieving science and policy collaboration regarding biodiversity and ecosystems services on one hand, and how to put them into practice in the management of protected natural sites on the other, by providing guidance for the integration of ecosystem services into everyday practice.

The workshop focused on:

• analysis of the concept of ecosystem services in the framework of protected sites;
   
• exploration of the importance of ecosystem services in management through identifying why we need to utilise them in protected site management. It also focuses on how to do this through interactive sessions;
   
• showcasing several examples from study areas around Europe;
   
• identifying further training needs on the topic, and the provision of tools which will allow the participants to implement a needs assessment in their organisation.

Target audience

An important objective of this course was to build connections between scientists and practitioners, who together are able to bring knowledge to practical application.

It furthermore aimed to combine participation of site managers, as the primary target group, and scientists which specifically focus on protected area management and the use of ecosystem services for it. Participants had the opportunity to exchange their views, share experiences and issues they are facing in implementing the concept, and formulate the further steps needed to make the concept better embedded into the everyday practice of protected site management.

Workshop participants and presenters. Credit Allan Watt

Registration
Registration closed on 26th March 2018 and cost €60 for Eurosite members, and €75 for non-members.

To ensure an equal participation from organisations across Europe, and a balanced audience of practitioners’ vs scientists, the registration process consisted of 2 stages. Participants were requested to fill in the registration form expressing their interest to participate. After the closing date, Eurosite and EKLIPSE team evaluated the applications and made a selection of candidates. All applicants were informed about the outcome of their application process accompanied with further guidelines to conclude the registration process, in case of a positive reply. Payment of the registration fee was required to confirm participation.

Presentations

The presentations are now available to download in pdf format:

Allan Watt and the EKLIPSE team: An introduction to EKLIPSE 

Rudolf de Groot: Guidelines and tools for ecosystem service assessment

Harry Koenders: Ecosystem services as a communication tool at a national level

Kees Hendricks: Ecosystem services for management organisations

Esther Moens: How to integrate ecosystem services into management plans?

Rob Bugter: Synergies, trade-offs and the art of working with ecosystem services

Kristijan Civic: Tool for valuing conservation measures

Irena Bouwma: Interactive exercise 1 - Walking the web

Peter Verweij: Hands-on mapping with QUICKScan

Paul Leadbitter: Ecosystem services and peatland restoration

Kees Hendricks: Ecosystem services and site management: from science into practice