Biodiversity: the fourth resource?
A one day course at the University of Northampton
Companies and organisations are already managing their energy,
water and waste resources. Perhaps now it’s time to think of
biodiversity as the fourth resource?
University of Northampton experts invite you to a one day course to introduce
and develop awareness around the importance of biodiversity to modern
businesses and organisations, and to society as a whole. This continuing
professional development (CPD) event will discuss topics such as:
-
why biodiversity needs to be considered by all organisations and
businesses;
-
methods of assessing the state of biodiversity in urban and suburban
settings;
-
the ways in which small, medium and large organisations can
contribute to biodiversity conservation and enhancement.
The event will include hands-on experience of the Biodiversity Index, an online
tool recently developed by the University of Northampton to enable
organisations to assess and enhance the biodiversity of their properties:
www.biodiversityindex.org
Date: Friday 12th July 2013
Venue: Newton Building, Avenue Campus, St George’s Avenue,
Northampton, NN2 6JD
Cost: £295 per person including VAT. Includes a buffet lunch and
refreshments, plus a certificate of attendance. Note that the course
can only run with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 people.
Contact: Sarah Lee
telephone: 01604 893350
email: sarah.lee@northampton.ac.uk
Programme
0915 – Refreshments and registration
1000 – Welcome and overview of the importance of biodiversity
Professor Jeff Ollerton (University of Northampton)
1030 – Is restoration and enhancement of biodiversity a corporate
responsibility? Current thinking on best practice.
Dr Janet Jackson (University of Northampton)
1100 – An introduction to the Biodiversity Index
Gareth Thomas, Darren Trotter & Richard Moore (University of
Northampton)
1130 – Refreshments and networking
1200 – Using the Biodiversity Index – computer work
1300 – Lunch and networking
1400 – Using the Biodiversity Index – field work and computer work
1530 – The role of business in promoting biodiversity conservation
Dr Sam Tarrant (RSPB)
1600 – Final discussion and Q & A
1630 – End
Professor Jeff Ollerton is Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Northampton. Author of
some 80 academic papers, articles, book chapters and edited volumes, he is an acknowledged
international expert in the area of plant and pollinator ecology, though also has wider interests in
biodiversity teaching and research. The work of Jeff and his research group has been used to
inform national and international strategies for the conservation of pollinators. Jeff currently is
leading the ecosystem services objective of the Natural England/Defra-funded Nene Valley Nature
Improvement Area Project. He has been a consultant for a number of BBC television programmes
and cinema documentaries, and is regularly interviewed about his work in the media.
Dr Janet Jackson is Senior Lecturer in Environmental Ecology & Management at the University of
Northampton. Janet's research and teaching interests are in ecological processes that occur over
space and time. Dispersal, colonisation and establishment of species are important processes that
may influence conservation management decisions, habitat creation and enhancement of ecological
communities: they may also influence biodiversity in the wider landscape. She is particularly
known for her work on the urban extension to Northampton at Upton which includes a Sustainable
Urban Drainage System (SUDS): a roof to river surface run off retention system to prevent
additional flood risk in Northampton. Janet leads an interdisciplinary team that has been
researching biodiversity and ecological values; ecosystem functions and services; and sediment
transport within these new urban wetlands.
Dr Sam Tarrant is the RSPB & CEMEX UK Business and Biodiversity Advisor. Since completing his PhD
at the University of Northampton, Sam has worked with the RSPB on projects relating to business
sustainability, biodiversity management, resource efficiency and strengthening stakeholder
relationships. Sam currently leads the RSPB and CEMEX UK NGO/corporate partnership which was
instrumental in delivering an innovative 10-year sustainable business biodiversity strategy ensuring
best practice compliance and integration within corporate brand communications and operations.
He developed corporate sustainability policies, identified and shared current best practices,
delivered technical training for reporting and analysis of product sustainability information, helping
to future-proof the company for the changing sustainability agenda.
Gareth Thomas is currently employed as a researcher within the Centre for Sustainable Wastes
Management and the Landscape and Biodiversity Research Group at the University of Northampton.
For the past six years he has been researching different aspects of sustainability including wastes
management, specifically hazardous construction waste, communal recycling and composting
solutions, and conservation of biodiversity. Gareth was instrumental in developing the Biodiversity
Index and is carrying out research which will lead to a PhD in biodiversity.
Richard Moore is currently working as Project Manager for the Biodiversity Index tool as part of the
collaborative SEED sustainability project at The University of Northampton. Richard has also
worked as Investment Manager in the environmental technology sector in Northamptonshire.
Previous to this he spent 8 years working in Southern Africa where he pioneered a social venture
capital project enabling previously disadvantaged people in Botswana to start sustainable
businesses - a project funded on a 50/50 basis by De Beers Diamond Company and the Government
of Botswana. He is passionate about developing practical ways to improve the quality of life for
both people and planet in a more sustainable way.
Darren Trotter is the Sustainability Officer for the University of Northampton working within the
Infrastructure Services department. The Sustainability team at the University is responsible for all
aspects of environmental performance, compliance with environmental legislation and strategic
delivery of environmental services. Darren has a broad understanding of environmental disciplines
following the completion of his degree in Environmental Management and has extensive experience
of working with public and private sector organisations for a multi-national environmental
consultancy.