FWR Events

Evaluating the effectiveness of Natural England’s advice to Local Planning Authorities, examining solutions implemented by various stakeholders to accommodate development needs while ensuring environmental benefits. It will also explore potential policy options for the anticipated new government.

The River Crane in West London, the UK’s first urban Smarter Water Catchment, has received £3 million to improve environmental and community outcomes. This webinar will discuss its progress and potential for achieving “Good Ecological Status.”

The Ramsar Convention, a global initiative to protect wetlands, has long called for systemic assessments of these vital ecosystems. However, research revealed that such assessments were largely lacking due to the absence of practical tools for rapid evaluation. To fill this gap, the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) approach was developed and adopted by a Ramsar Resolution in October 2018. Since then, RAWES has been widely used worldwide, applied to diverse environments such as the Himalayas, deserts, and urban areas. This approach offers a comprehensive framework for understanding wetland functions and optimizing their benefits, thus advancing their role as effective nature-based solutions for environmental challenges.