WILD IDEAS ... NEW THINKING IN CONSERVATION
BANC event, Coin Street Centre, 9 July 2008
BANC has a 30-year reputation for being on the cutting edge. In Ecos we explore new ideas and fresh thinking in conservation. We now want to get this discussion off the page and into live debate and dialogue. Please join us at the Coin Street Centre, London SE1, on Wed 9th July. For more info., please click here or download the booking form here.

(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.

WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
Bat Conservation Trust
Bats are amazing animals and an important part of our natural environment. All 17 species of bat in the UK are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically. The BCT works towards a world where bats and people live in harmony, to ensure they are around for future generations to enjoy. BCT's web site has just been completely revamped.

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.

ECOS Vol. 29, No. 1, OUT NOW!
Walking the talk in conservation
"Conservation writers are missionaries. Could it be that ECOS is like a mission amongst believers – its writers influencing only a close circle of sympathetic readers? In this issue we also ask that same question of the blogs and email forums now rife in conservation – are they having much influence or just keeping up people’s spirits?"

CONCRETING THE COUNTRYSIDE
Addressing SE England's housing demands in the 21st century
Join Sir Peter Hall and Martin Crookston at the RGS from 7pm on Tue 13th May to discuss how south-east England will meet its 21st century housing demand. Chaired by former Times editor, Simon Jenkins. For more info., click here.

CLIMATE CHANGE, PONDS & CARBON STORAGE
Free lunchtime talk at UCL on 6 May 2008
Professor John Downing of Iowa State University says that, across the globe, ponds "may bury four times as much carbon as the world’s oceans". Don't believe him? Then pop along to this free event, staged by Pond Conservation, at University College London from 1pm on Tue 6th May.

WOLF MOON
A shepherd's perspective on the wolf's return to France
Spend "an afternoon with wolves" in the company of Troy Bennett and the Wolves and Humans Foundation at the Riverside Country Park, Gillingham, Kent, from 1pm on Sun 27th April. Tickets in advance £7.50. Phone 01634-856103.

LEE VALLEY SPRING WILDLIFE WEEKEND ...
... with Simon King & Chris Packham, 26-27 April 2008
This free event has something for all age groups and for all interests - so whether you're an avid birdwatcher or a budding wildlife enthusiast there'll be something for you, your friends and family. For more info., go to www.leevalleypark.org.uk or click here.

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.

(c) Steve Jurvetson

COALITION AGAINST BIOFUELS
Gov't scientist speaks out as NGOs write to Ruth Kelly
On 24th March a coalition of the UK's largest environmental and development groups sent a letter to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly urging a review of the gov't's biofuels policy. On the same day gov't advisor Prof. Robert Watson told the BBC that the inclusion of biofuels at UK fuel pumps should be delayed.

LIVING WITH MAMMALS
Get involved with PTES's Spring 2008 mammal survey
The People's Trust for Endangered Species needs your help with a survey to find out how wild animals use the built environment and the green spaces within it, with a view to understanding and encouraging the biodiversity on our doorsteps. For more info. go to PTES's web site, or download the survey's flyer here.