ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008
Members' visit to Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory & Ham Fen
The 2008 AGM will take place on Saturday 11th October, from 1pm to 2pm, at Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory, followed by a guided visit to nearby Ham Fen, a Kent Wildlife Trust reserve where beavers are used as a habitat management tool. All BANC members are invited to attend. For more info., click here.

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
FISHONLINE
If you are concerned about declining fish stocks and the welfare of our seas, the Marine Conservation Society's FISHONLINE
web site can help you identify which fish are from well managed sources and/or caught using methods that minimise damage to marine wildlife and habitats.

ECOS Vol. 29, No. 2, OUT NOW!
Nature's Tonic
"Nearly four million people watch Springwatch, yet according to a recent survey by the National Trust, one in three children cannot identify a magpie, one of the UK's most common birds, while half can't distinguish a bee and a wasp. Children spend so little time outdoors that much of Britain's common wildlife is alien to them".

WILD, FREE AND COMING BACK?
The return of key species to Scotland
This two-day conference on 16th & 17th September at Findhorn, Forres, near Inverness, will examine what's required to achieve further reintroductions of key species to Scotland, featuring presentations, workshops, a debate, a photographic exhibition and story telling, followed by optional field trips to Alladale, Glen Affric & Carrifran. Click here for the booking form.

ARCHAEOLOGY & WILDLIFE ...
... Past, Present & Future
"To help conserve species in the future it is vital to look to the wildlife of the past". Organised as part of the BA 2008 Festival of Science, this workshop at the University of Liverpool on 10th September will examine the past and present of some key species and discuss thorny issues such as 'rewilding' and what actually defines a 'native' species. For more info., click here.

THE END OF THE HORSE CHESTNUT?
World Conker Championships under threat
This BBC News report of 8th August highlights the plight of the UK's horse chestnut trees, doubly attacked by a fungus causing "bleeding cankers" and a moth larva damaging its leaves. The situation is parlous: the World Conker Championships may have to import supplies of its indispensable weapon.

INSPIRATIONAL NATURE
VINE 2008 conference proceedings published
The proceedings of VINE's April 2008 conference, Inspirational Nature - Harnessing passion, inspiration and creativity for nature conservation, are now available on VINE's web site, including PDF files of presentations, outputs and feedback, plus a video and cartoons.

(c) Andy Roberts

LONDON UNDER WATER
Can London's defences cope with rising sea levels?
Chaired by the BBC's Evan Davis, this 21st Century Challenges event, at Chartered Accountants Hall in the City of London at 7pm on 18th June, will examine London's plans to protect the 1.25 million people and £80 billion infrastructure at risk from rising sea levels. For more info., click here.

BIODIVERSITY LOSS: A KEY GLOBAL ISSUE
WWF applauds release of CBD economic report
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) published, on 29th May, its interim report, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (5.4MB), which was welcomed by WWF for its recognition of biodiversity loss as a key development issue.

(c) Per Harald Olsen

BEAVER TO BE REINTRODUCED INTO SCOTLAND
Trial releases in Knapdale, Argyll, from 2009
On 25th May, the Scottish government announced that the European beaver would be reintroduced on a trial basis after an absence of over 400 years. The news was a triumph for the Scottish Beavers Network. For more info., visit the Scottish Wildlife Trust or Scottish National Heritage.

WANTED: A NEW APPROACH TO CONSERVATION
NE publishes its State of the Natural Environment report
Launching its first report into the state of England's natural environment, Natural England boss Helen Phillips called for a new approach to its management, suggesting a national park comprising the entire coastline and better use of green belts. To download the report, visit NE's web site.

WILDLIFE POPULATIONS 'PLUMMETING'
Living Planet Index shows biodiversity down 27% in 35 years
On 16th May, WWF-UK released its biennial report of its Living Planet Index, based on ZSL's monitoring of nearly 4,000 wildlife populations. It shows biodiversity falling by over a quarter from 1970 to 2005, with marine species particularly hard hit. Habitat destruction and wildlife trade are the major causes of the declines. Download the report here (PDF 1.5MB).

LONDON'S FIRST OYSTERCATCHER BIRD RACE
London Wildlife Trust wins public transport twitching event
On 15th May, teams from seven organisations contested the first OysterCatcher Bird Race, racing to spot as many bird species as possible within one day, travelling only by London's public transport. Fittingly, London Wildlife Trust triumphed, with 89 species out of an amazing total of 92 sighted.

GREEN MOVEMENT FORGETS ITS POLITICS
"Climate campaigners should focus on politics, not lifestyles"
In BBC News' The Green Room, a series of environmental opinions, Ann Pettifor recently argued that climate change campaigners should learn from the anti-slavery and anti-apartheid movements: focus on influencing governments rather than individuals or your efforts will be doomed to failure.

RUDDY DUCK ERADICATION CONTINUES
UK population reduced from 4,400 to 500
The ruddy duck, a native of North America introduced into the UK 60 years ago, is being eradicated here - by shooting - to try to save from extinction the white-headed duck. Download the eradication programme's April 2008 bulletin here. For more info., check out the Non-Native Species Secretariat's web site.

MOOSE BACK ON THE LOOSE
BBC reports on Alladale Estate's newest recruits
On 16th April the BBC's Natural World programme featured Paul Lister's Alladale Estate and his attempts to reintroduce large mammals into the Scottish Highlands, the latest of which are a pair of Swedish elk. Read this BBC News report, with film clips.

DRAFT MARINE BILL PUBLISHED
WWF worries about legislation in devolved adminstrations
On 3rd April the Government published its draft Marine Bill for consultation. Inter alia, it will create a marine management organisation (MMO) to regulate development and enforce environmental protection laws. Read this BBC News report and these responses by WWF-UK and The Independent newspaper.

DEAL CLINCHED TO PRESERVE GUYANESE FOREST
Private equity firm buys rights to forest's ecosystem services
In a groundbreaking transaction the London-based firm Canopy Capital has purchased the rights to the environmental services generated by the 370,000 hectare Iwokrama reserve in Guyana, prompting comment by The Economist magazine. Read more about the deal in The Independent newspaper or at mongabay.com.

DIARY FROM THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
BBC reports on the scourge of plastic in the Pacific
In this online diary BBC environment correspondent David Shukman laments the damage being inflicted on the wildlife of the island of Midway by the plastic waste riding the currents of the Pacific Ocean.