SPG ‘Pie and a Pint’

Online, September 2020: “Opportunities for Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in Scotland”

This was our groups first online PAAP. The evening began with five invited speakers offering short presentations on the topic that reflected their position and experience. Following a short Q and A, the participants broke out into groups to discuss several key questions:

1. How do we reconcile the trade-offs between development, people, and nature?
2. What does the future look like for No Net Loss / Net Gain when frames of reference are shifting (e.g. climate change)?
3. What is missing from current No Net Loss / Net Gain strategies?
4. If a site can’t achieve BNG and offsetting is required who is responsible (e.g. for identifying, management, funding) for these now and in the future?

York, November 2019: “Transformative Change – What does this approach to conservation mean for the UK?”

The event was open to all BES members, professionals, students and policymakers interested in discussing the topic of transformative change in the context of conservation in the UK. The event was opened with five talks. After which, the participants split into break-out groups to discuss these questions:

1. What are the priorities for achieving transformative change?
2. What should we stop or start doing to help achieve transformative change?
3. How do we need to change governance structures to achieve transformative change?
4. How can technology help with transformative change?
5. What can we do as individuals and organisations to support and achieve transformative change?

Edinburgh, November 2019: “How to handle moving targets.”

The event was open to all BES members and those interested in a natural capital approach and biodiversity conservation.  About 45 people attended from a wide range of organisations.

The event was opened with five  talks. After which, the participants split into break-out groups to discuss these questions:

1. When is a natural capital approach useful for biodiversity conservation?
2. When is a natural capital approach NOT useful for biodiversity conservation?
3. Is there a middle ground?

Inverness, May 2018: “What does biodiversity success in 2020 look like?”

The event was open to all BES members and those interested in Scotland’s biodiversity strategy.  About 25 people attended from wide range of organisations. The event was opened with five quick fire talks. After which, the participants split into four break-out groups to discuss these questions:

1. What is working well with the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) to deliver the 2020 targets?
2. What hasn’t worked well in SBS?
3. Where should we go after 2020? – for strategy (i.e. governance /process)
4. Where should we go after 2020? – for biodiversity

Edinburgh, April 2016: “Protected areas and beyond.”

The event started with introductory thoughts from four speakers:

• Adam Smith – Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Director in Scotland
• Davy McCracken – SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) Professor of Agricultural Ecology
• Andrew Bauer – National Farmers Union Scotland, Deputy director for policy
• Lloyd Austin – Head of Conservation Policy for the RSPB in Scotland.

Following on from the presentations, the attendees split into four groups; the four speakers rotated between the groups every 10 minutes. The discussion from each group is written up in the report note.

Inverness, “The place of people in rewilding.”

The event was open to all BES-SPG members and policy relevant people. About 40 people attended from wide range of organisations.
The event was opened by three short 10 minute talks from the following people presenting their own perspectives on rewilding:

• Adam Smith of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust,
• Rob Brooker read a statement from Fenning Welstead from Alladale Estate as Fenning was unable to attend due illness
• David Balharry of Rewilding Britain

The group then split into four, with each group taking it in turns to address the four questions. The report summaries the key messages from each of the four groups.

Edinburgh, May 2017: “Urban greenspace – space for nature and people?”

This was our first ever PAAP event. It was jointly held with SPG and and ESCom.  They discussed  whether urban greenspace in Scotland is meeting our social, economic and biodiversity needs. Are the provision and management of greenspace on track to contribute to the delivery of our Biodiversity 2020 priority aims? We covered:

• Protecting and restoring biodiversity, and supporting healthier ecosystems.
• Connecting people with the natural world, for their health and wellbeing and involving them more in decisions about their environment.
• Maximising the benefits for Scotland of a diverse natural environment and the services it provides, contributing to sustainable economic growth.