Natural England SSSI Systematic Conservation Planning Stakeholder Workshop

Event details

The Government recognises that to recover nature, meet the target to protect 30% of our land and sea by 2030, and to enable nature to adapt to climate change, we need to improve our existing series of protected sites. The aim is to plan a strategic way to provide a greater area of better-connected, higher- quality habitat, through a Nature Recovery Network. Potential shifts in species ranges, resulting from climate change, present a significant challenge to implementing a comprehensive series of protected sites that will enable nature recovery in the future. The University of York and Natural England are investigating the use of Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) to inform prioritisation of areas that may be considered for SSSI notification, taking into account the future climate in England.

Systematic Conservation Planning is an approach that has been used throughout the world to identify the optimal location of areas for biodiversity conservation. It is evidence-consultation-led and can help to identify priority areas for nature recovery. Climate Change species sensitivity data and national habitat mapping will be investigated to see how they may be used to prioritise consideration of cases for SSSI designation based on climate vulnerability and resilience. The potential for building in ecosystem and socio-economic services information (e.g. flood regulation, pollination, carbon sequestration and landscape attractiveness) is also to be assessed at this national scale. To maximise success we will consult with a range of stakeholders to get input on what is important for future conservation decisions.

Workshop Aims

The aim of this workshop is to bring together non-governmental organisations (NGOs), landowners and managers and governmental groups to:

• improve participant understanding and benefits of SCP
• gain an understanding of various viewpoints and identify how best to allocate importance of targets within the systematic conservation plan and how these could be weighted to inform prioritisation of SSSI notifications and other interventions, such as Protected Site Strategies (PSS).
• provide an opportunity to help inform the approach that Natural England may take when prioritising future protected areas

This is a two day workshop, starting at 09:00 on Tuesday 6 February and finishing at 17:00 on Wednesday 7 February. Travel and accommodation support is available if required.

Target Audience

This workshop is aimed at key Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), landowners and managers and governmental groups