Coastal Dunes and Sandy Beaches Workshop ’18- Save the Date!

Thy National Park, Denmark - Hanstholm

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Save the Date – Coastal Dunes and Sandy Beaches International Workshop

12 to 14 June 2018 – Dunkirk (France)

Within the framework of the LIFE+FLANDRE project, the Agency of Nature and Forest (Flemish Authority) and the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale will organise an international workshop on coastal dunes and sandy beaches management and restoration. You will be able to experience dune restoration in real life, network with colleagues, and discuss opportunities for further collaboration.

About the LIFE+ FLANDRE international workshop

LIFE+ FLANDRE – Flemish And North French Dunes Restoration (LIFE+12 NAT/BE/000631/FLANDRE) is a joint nature project of the Agency for Nature and Forests of the Flemish Authority, the Conservatoire de l’Espace littoral et des Rivages lacustres and the Département du Nord that aims at protecting and managing the coastal dunes between Dunkerque (France) and Westende (Belgium) as a cross-border nature park. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE+-programme.

Within the framework of this project, the Agency of Nature and Forests and the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale organise an international workshop “Management of coastal dunes and sandy beaches” in Dunkirk (France) from the 12th until the 14th June 2018 (add to your agenda, ics-file).

The language of the workshop is English, but in the parallel discussions French is also allowed. During the parallel discussion groups and the excursions translation from English to French and from French to English will be provided.

Who should attend?

  • Nature managers active in coastal dune and sandy beach management (public agencies as well as non-governmental nature conservancies)
  • Managers of coastal defence systems (against marine floods)
  • Civil servants, decision-makers and elected politicians from local authorities (dealing with environment, nature, urban planning, …)
  • Researchers interested in coastal dunes, sandy beaches, coastal defence systems, nature-based solutions, transnational cooperation, …
  • Decision-makers and politicians interested in restoration and management of sandy beaches, coastal dunes, nature-based coastal defence systems, transnational cooperation, …
  • European civil servants active in nature conservation, nature-based solutions, coastal defence, …
  • European umbrella organisations active in nature conservation, …
  • Staff involved in LIFE, Interreg, and other projects on restoration and management of coastal dunes and sandy beaches
  • Students in ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, management of coastal dunes and coastal defence

Aims of the workshop

The workshop will focus on:

  • the implementation of the recommendations of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process Seminars for Coastal Dunes in the Atlantic Region, including the Coastal Dunes Roadmap, and the meaning of the LIFE instrument for this purpose

We consider the following process objectives of this workshop:

  • Networking and sharing knowledge between administrators, policy makers and scientists in a convenient way
  • Networking and sharing of knowledge between past and ongoing nature restoration projects (LIFE, LIFE+, Interreg) with an extra-focus on cross-border or transregional projects;
  • Stimulating the emergence of new cross-border nature partnerships

Topics

  • The impact of climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the dynamics of beaches and coastal dunes, especially on sedimentation, sand drift and the phreatic groundwater regime
  • The impact of climate change on the conservation status and the geographical distribution of coastal habitats and plant and animal species, including bird species as well as on the appearance and spread of invasive alien species in coastal dunes and on beaches
  • Sea-level rise: consequences for coastal defense and conservation and opportunities for the integration of coastal defense and nature development (synergy between coastal defense and conservation)
  • Current and finalized LIFE Nature projects in relation to the implementation of the recommendations concerning “coastal and dunes” and the “cross border issues” of the Atlantic Natura 2000 biogeographic seminars of 3-5 December 2012 at Bergen (Netherlands) and of 25-27 October 2016 at Ennistymon (Ireland), and more specifically on the Coastal Dunes Roadmap. Examples of transnational cooperation in function of cross border Natura 2000 – sites
  • Significance of spatial fragmentation and (restoration of) connectivity for habitats and species
  • Ecosystem services of beaches and coastal dunes: coastal defense, fresh water reserve, quality of life, reservoir of genes, asset for recreation and tourism …

Location

The workshop is situated in Dunkirk (Dunkerque, northwest France). This proximity to the project area and the maritime character of Dunkirk, make this city the ideal location for the workshop.

  • Workshop location
    The workshop takes place in the buildings of the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale: bâtiment des Darses, 189 B avenue Maurice Schumann, 59140 Dunkerque (France) (map).
  • Accessibility 
    Dunkirk is located at 15 km west of the French-Belgian border. Dunkirk is easily accessible by train or car. Each hour busline 2(B) of DK’Bus Marine connects Dunkirk with the Belgian railway station of De Panne in 45 minutes (price: 2,40 Euro, ticket can be purchased on the coach), from where there is a train to Brussels and Brussels airport. IC-, Thalys-, Eurostar- and TGV-trains connect Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Paris, London and Brussels with Lille (or Calais), where there is connection to Dunkirk with local trains. Highways connect Dunkirk with Brussels (E40, 160 km, 1h45 drive) and Paris (A1&A25, 300 km, 2 hours’ drive). A ferry connects Dunkirk with Dover. Detailed information on how to reach Dunkirk will be provided to the registered participants.
  • Hotels
    There are several hotels (in different price ranges) available within walking distance of the conference venue. A list will be made available to the participants.

Important dates

  • January 2018: preliminary programme online
  • March 2018: selected abstracts announced
  • 5 May 2018: deadline for registration

Registration fee

The registration fee for the workshop is 75 EUR (excl. 21% VAT). This includes include access to all sessions, coffee breaks, a day excursion, 3 lunches and 2 diners.

For more information, visit www.natuurenbos.be/FLANDRE-international-workshop.

Contact Dunes-2018-LIFE @ bosplus.be
Pre-registration https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Pre-registration_LIFE-FLANDRE

Visitor behaviour & connection to nature: a study tour in European Protected Areas

Photo by Bryony Slaymaker

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Visitor behaviour and best practice visitor services in European protected areas

Article issued by Bryony Slaymaker

Every year, the Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship (ATS) supports the work of young conservationist in protected areas across Europe. Bryony was one of the winners of the Scholarship in 2016.

Does connection to nature lead to pro-environmental behaviour?

The objective of the study was to explore visitor services in European protected areas and methods of visitor behaviour management for the purposes of nature conservation. Additionally, a visitor survey explored the connection to nature and attitudes to pro-environmental behaviour amongst visitors to protected areas.

I visited six protected areas across Estonia, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, in addition to my local site (and place of work) in England, during the busy summer period, spending time with frontline staff and meeting visitors.

During the study tours, I had the privilege of exploring several protected areas located close to urban centres, spending time with staff, visitors, junior rangers and school groups learning about best practice within visitor services across these very different areas. This study was possible thanks to the Natural Heritage Scholarship, generously provided by the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S together with the EUROPARC Federation.

Protected areas have a pivotal role to play in protecting biodiversity but also providing opportunities for people to experience nature.

Recreation opportunities can be a major ecosystem service, can provide funding streams and, when well managed, promote conservation and wildlife protection. However, managers of protected areas have difficult trade-offs to make to ensure biodiversity is protected but people have the opportunity to enjoy and explore these areas responsibly and build their connection with nature.

The results of my survey showed that pro-environmental behaviour increases with reported connection to nature; however, the correlation is weak and this is clearly not the only predictor of behaviour.

There are many other factors that are proven to influence how someone ultimately chooses to behave. Therefore, Rangers and Protected Areas staff have a responsibility to facilitate pro-environmental behaviour within protected areas and there are many fantastic examples of this:

  • publicised codes of conduct
  • good recycling provisions
  • public transport links

Besides, coordinated efforts, governmental support and sufficient funding are essential to facilitate pro-environmental behaviour and secure the future of protected areas for both people and nature.

What methods can we use to communicate with visitors and facilitate pro-environmental behaviour in protected areas?

From a wider environmental perspective, connection to nature and education is a vital step towards ensuring people engage with pro-environmental behaviours and lifestyle changes that are necessary to mitigate habitat loss, climate change and wider environmental issues.

Dedicated and passionate professionals work across protected areas to protect nature and inspire people. I was inspired by the enthusiasm and expertise of staff as well as the pioneering methods used across sites; for example, the I-ranger app used in Switzerland to record visitor interactions and the Biosphere brand developed in Germany to incentivise sustainable production within the protected area.

Donwload the full REPORT_Visitors in European protected areas

The scope of this study was relatively narrow and further research in this area is essential to widen our understanding of visitor behaviour. Additionally, comparative studies with non-visitors could help staff managing protected areas to better understand how to widen participation and which methods are most effective to promote connection to nature and facilitate pro-environmental behaviour both within protected areas and beyond.

“The Future of Food and Farming” EU Commission launches Communication

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pixabay

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Two days ago, 29th November 2017, the European Commission presented its Communication on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2020: “The future of food and farming”.

Preparatory to the release of this communication, in February this year, the Commission ran a three-month consultation process, resulting in over 320.000 replies from NGOs as well as from individuals. Core demands identified were that

a future CAP shall ensure that efforts for environmental protection and ways to combat climate change must be set as key foci for agricultural innovation

while at the same time supporting farmers in maintaining a fair standard of living.

The Commission Communication faces heavy criticism to be falling short to promote increased, long-term sustainability and environmental NGOs call on the Institutions to put a transitioning towards more sustainable farming models across European agriculture at heart of the upcoming legislative proposals.

EUROPARC will soon release the position of European Protected Areas regarding the Common Agricultural Policy, and provide the EU Commission views and inputs for communication the recently launched.

Marine Plastics Need European Action: from impacts to solutions

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Upcycling, re-cycling and Zero-Waste-Lifestyles – three phenomena of increasing popularity and also indicators of a growing public awareness concerning the harmful impacts of plastic waste.

Researchers suggest each year between 8-13 million tons of plastic litter were entering our seas and contaminating marine and coastal ecosystems. The contamination is considered a global threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security, and thus also human health. Already back in 2015, the European Commissions had adopted an “Action Plan on Circular Economy”. Now, the Commission plans to finalize its strategy on plastic litter by the end of 2017 with marine plastic litter being of major concern.

“Marine Plastics Need European Action”

On Wednesday 8 November the conference Marine Plastics Need European Action jointly hosted by Ricardo Serrão Santos MEP and Vice-Chair of the EP Intergroup on “Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development and “Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas“ together with IUCN European Regional Office, called for strong political action and provided policy recommendations to support the Commission’s strategy on plastics.

Conference “Marine Plastics Need European Action” (left) audience; (right) Commissioner Karmenu Vella opening ©European Bureau for Conservation and Development

Within the context of the event, the freshly released IUCN report on existing national and sub-national policies tackling marine-litter across EU Member States, including policy recommendations how to reduce marine litter in Europe was introduced. You can find it for download here.

More microplastics than plankton

MEP Serrão Santos opened the conference by highlighting the distressing evidence, that there is currently more microplastics in the ocean than there is plankton. Commissioner Karmenu Vella followed with introductory remarks, ensuring that the soon to be released EU strategy was committed to free the ocean from plastics, focusing visible litter as well as so called microplastics. Beyond, he stated that it is intended to make all plastic packaging on the EU market being recyclable by 2030, but also highlighted the urgency for common action on different levels.

Pierre-Yves Cousteau set the scene by sharing his passion for the study and protection of the oceans, which he had inherited from his father, the renowned explorer, author, and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau. Despite brief anecdotes, the photos he shared were far from romantic: Pictures of dead wildlife filled up with plastics and sea surface that resembled a plastic landfill clearly demonstrated that plastic contamination is not a distant dystopia.

Currently, eight million tons of plastics are estimated to enter our seas annually with only 15% of the litter visible on the surface.

The remaining plastics have sunk to the ground or are microplastic particles in size of sesame seed, or even invisible to the eye. Sea life gets easily caught up in chunky plastic waste and marine organisms are prone to contamination as they ingest tiny microplastic debris.

Cousteau highlighted the valuable role of Marine Protected Areas for biodiversity conservation and the need for cross-border cooperation for their effective management. He stressed the fact that our ocean, our natural world in general, knows no national boundaries, but is, in fact, one huge system which’s protection asks for internationally coordinated governance and action.

To tackle the plastic issue, Cousteau suggested to

  • invest in innovation & science (materials, capture, recycling)
  • launch multi-industry initiatives & regulations (lifecycle design, traceability)
  • invest in infrastructure
  • ban single-use and non-recyclable plastic
  • run education and awareness raising campaigns
  • install a global authority on air and water – as they are naturally borderless

International perspective: the impact of marine plastic

Ulf Bjoernholm from the UN Environmental Programme leads to his presentation by backing the message, that “we need to work together” at a global scale in order to protect our ocean from plastic litter. As research continues to confront us with devastating numbers (see below), from his point of view, the global community – policy-makers included – has grown increasingly aware of the problem dimension.

Bjoernholm states, what was needed now is translating the political momentum at international level into targeted actions at both global and regional levels.

  • 31% of global fish stocks have disappeared
  • >8 million ton plastic leaks into the ocean each year
  • >600 species are impacted – of which 15% are endangered
  • 52% of sea turtles have plastics in their belly
  • This has a major economic cost – e.g. marine litter costs the EU fishing fleet USD 82 million/year
  • By 2050, oceans will carry more plastic than fish, and 99% of seabirds are likely to have ingested plastic

As key elements for sustained effective actions the UN Environmental Programme suggests global guidance under UN leadership, Regional cooperation (for example regional seas and fisheries conventions), continued EU leadership, strong partnerships with the private sector stepping up and empowerment and engagement of Civil Society.

At last Bjoernholm stressed in particular that more and better knowledge concerning the sources and impacts of marine litter was needed, saying that we still lacked understanding of the long-term impacts of marine plastics on all our ecosystems. Referring to the health of sea life in a first place, but also considering the conditions of terrestrial life, not to forget the human dimension: Economically speaking,

a healthy ocean matters to a large majority of cities that are located close to the coast, harnessing nature for trade, agriculture and industry.

Speaking of health, three billion people rely on fish as source of protein and are affected directly either through decline in availability or through the consumption of seafood poisoned by plastic particles. Even when setting aside the potential harms arising from the direct consumption of seafood, microplastic particles still pose a risk by finding their ways into the food supply chain via our soils and drinking water.

Policy recommendations from UN Environmental Agency

  • Need for regulation and economic incentives as well as voluntary action.
  • Creation of a Circular Economy closing the material loop and improving plastics management.
  • Reduced production and use of single-use plastics through smart design, long life-span and recovery.
  • Reduced production and use of non-recoverable plastics as e.g. in cosmetics and personal care products.
  • All stakeholders must act and cooperate.

National Perspective: building a blue economy

Fausto Brito e Abreu represented a national government perspective on the issue, asking what Member States can do: What is their role? He started off highlighting that 97% of Portuguese territory consist of ocean, whereas to date only 3.1% of wealth and 3.6% of jobs are created through traditional and emerging marine activities.

The Portuguese government puts emphasis on fostering the sustainability of those activities and aims to build a blue economy in order to support socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens while also tackling impacts of the shared global challenges faced by our oceans: climate change, water acidification – and plastics.

The Portuguese national approach consists of investment in four main pillars:

  • Knowledge: Main foci are the support of science, the fostering of public literacy through education and surveillance or monitoring of marine activities’ sustainability. For instance, in Portugal has installed around 13 different monitoring programmes and projects. Besides an empowered Civil Society organized by NGOs, Municipalities, Associations, etc. has engaged in marine litter cleaning actions covering beaches, rivers, estuaries and even the sea bottom.
  • Partnerships with multiple stakeholders
  • Governance: The Portuguese government developed an Integrated Maritime Policy and has a dedicated Directorate-General for Maritime Policy.
  • Financing: Funding is acquired from various sources, including the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; Portugal2020 Partnership Agreement; Mar2020 Programme; Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway Grants for Blue Growth Innovation and SMEs; Fundo Azul.

In his presentation, Brito e Abreu outlined how national actions related to building a blue economy do matter globally by actively supporting the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 14 (“conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”) is at centre stage, but various SDGs are supported due to the cross-cutting relevance of sea conservation and marine activities.

Sustainable Development Goals, tackled by the Portuguese Government © Fausto Brito e Abreu

Conscious of the significant potentials of national action, Portugal engages in a range of voluntary commitments.

The Private sector: the need for alternatives to plastic

Given the setting, the view represented by Karl Foerster from European Plastics had a hard stand. Nevertheless, he stressed how plastics were contributing to the achievement of the SDG and emphasized that the industry did not work to create more landfills and litter, but sought to support the creation of circular solutions.

Luc Bas critically noted that, after all, the plastic industry’s business model was built on the production and not on the recycling or banning of plastics. Consequently one could infer that any solutions proposed or supported by the industry leave out of question the need for real alternatives to the use of plastic as a material altogether.

From the industry perspective, the main issue of plastic leakage into the environment is directly caused by human misuse of the material and can hence be corrected by some straight-forward behavioural changes achievable through measures such as:

  • Raising consumer awareness: Responsible use and disposal of plastics.
  • Proper waste management systems: Stopping plastics from going to landfills, zero litter and viewing plastic waste as resource for innovation and source of energy.

Foerster stressed that different countries have quite different perceptions of the problem’s relevance and hence industry created dedicated platforms concerned with discussing industry’s role and actions at international level. To name a few: World Plastics Council, Marine Litter Solutions, Operation Clean Sweap, Global Plastics Alliance.

Civil society: “impossible to recycle our way out of the problem”

Monika Verbeek from Seas at Risk posed the question: What is missing at EU level to reduce plastic waste? Verbeek’s clear position is that the only viable solution lies in reduced use of plastics only as a material for things built to last. She argued optimistically that immediate action wasn’t only needed but possible given the fact that most plastic products are free give-aways like forks, cups, straws, plastic bags. All of which are unnecessary or replaceable through non-plastic materials.

According to Verbeek, consumers are ready to change behaviours if this comes at bearable cost. Sustainable consumption patterns should be fostered and plastic avoidance made as easy as possible. This is only possible through legislation in the long-run and citizens demand such guidelines and binding rules from policy-makers.

The indication on packaging that it was made out of recyclable or biodegradable plastic might foster wrong consumer behaviour and encourage the quicker disposal of the materials, according to Verbeek. There must be more awareness raising concerning the fact that

biodegradables are not the solution and neither is recycling or upcycling.

Looking at policy level, this notion seems to have partly arrived.

As a promising outlook, Verbeek noted, that European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans had recently acknowledged that it was impossible to “recycle our way out of the problem”.

Summing up, Verbeek offers a three-step approach to reduced plastic use

  • 1. Reduce plastic bags at national level
  • 2. Legislation at national level
  • 3. Rethink plastic use at all levels

The final discussion between audience and panellists brought up the agreed policy recommendations that voluntary commitments are much needed but cannot replace mandatory ones as those emphasize urgency and change the dynamics. Furthermore, in this context the particular role of National Governments shall be clearly defined.

What about the role of Protected Areas?

Take away messages – food for thought:

  • Contamination occurs across borders, hence local solutions are ineffective and transboundary actions are needed.
  • Education and awareness raising at community level (including local fishermen as well as regular consumers) can make a critical difference in encouraging behavioural changes towards responsible plastic use or waste management.
  • A broad public debate questioning how microplastics might not only contaminate our ocean, but our soils and in turn affect terrestrial biodiversity and agricultural production. Thus, creating a link between the issue of microplastics and the wider context of food security. (CAP?)

Further links:

Video on EU Circular Economy Strategy

DG Environment on Circular Economy, Downloads and Updates:

Magazine Article “Plastic Pollutants Pervade Water and Land” (June 2017), TheScientist:

Marine plastic debris & micro plastics – Global lessons and research to inspire action and guide policy change (United Nations Environment Programme, 2016)

#CleanSeas Campaign