University news

A conference aiming to generate positive discussions and ideas about land use, community involvement and climate change will take place at the University of Sussex in January.  

The conference, presented by Sussex Wildlife Trust in conjunction with the University, will cover various themes from climate collapse and resilience, to farming, food and nature recovery networks. 

Organisers hope that the talks on 23rd January will inspire attendees to generate local solutions and feel empowered to take actions to help tackle the major climate and biodiversity issues of our time.  

Dr Chris Sandom, Senior Lecturer in Biology at the University of Sussex, is supporting the event.  
He said: “It’s great to be hosting this conference with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. The Landscape Innovation Conference offers a fantastic opportunity to explore and develop solutions to addressing the major sustainability challenges we face. So whether you want tackle climate breakdown and the extinction crisis, make your community more resilient, or develop a new land management idea we hope you will come and join us.” 

Speakers at the conference include 16-year-old conservation advocate Bella Lack, Director of Rewilding Britain Alastair Driver, Farm Conservation advisor Jenny Phelps and independent ecologist Dr Tony Whitbread, among others. 

Fran Southgate, Living Landscapes Advisor at the Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “We hope that by bringing together an inspiring network of speakers, innovators, experts and practitioners, we can build new partnerships and generate effective actions and solutions to some of our climate and biodiversity challenges.  

“As we accept the reality of the climate crisis and declare climate emergencies, people across a range of sectors of society need support, ideas and empowerment to create positive solutions and the necessary behavioural change by 2030.  Our Innovation Landscapes Conference will showcase best practice, and will endeavour to re-script the language of land management, by developing a range of project ideas which can help to create a healthy future landscape in Sussex.” 

Conference tickets cost £50 and all refreshments, including lunch, will be provided. 

For more information, and to book your place, please visit: https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on/2020-01-23-landscape-innovation-conference-brighton-230120