CIEEM Autumn Conference: Demonstrating the Value of Nature

About This Event

The CIEEM Autumn Conference takes place on 24-25 November 2026 at the Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday, organised by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. This is a paid two-day conference examining how ecosystem services and natural capital approaches can be applied in practical ecological work. The event includes plenary sessions, workshops, and a conference dinner featuring Mohammed Saddiq, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset and Chair of Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership.The programme covers strategic planning with natural capital, landscape recovery, coastal restoration and blue carbon, and nature-based solutions for communities. Confirmed speakers include Cheryl Marriott from Cornwall Wildlife Trust on beaver recovery, Dr Patricia Rice from Natural England on the state of Natural Capital Report for England 2024, and Professor Nigel Pontee on saltmarsh restoration for climate and carbon benefits. Workshop options include beaver management, biodiversity net gain policy, heritage and nature recovery co-benefits, and ecovoltaic approaches. Day two features a curated session from South West Water on delivering biodiversity at scale in the water sector.The conference addresses how SMEs and sustainability leads can demonstrate the measurable value of nature in business decisions, infrastructure projects and land management. Sessions on integrated nature and carbon strategies, ecosystem service mapping, and nature-positive development provide practical frameworks for embedding natural capital thinking into operational planning and stakeholder engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Practical frameworks for integrating ecosystem services into strategic planning and land management decisions
• Case studies on landscape-scale habitat restoration, coastal blue carbon projects and urban nature recovery
• Workshop training on biodiversity net gain policy, beaver management and ecosystem service mapping techniques
• Evidence on linking nature-based solutions to health, wellbeing and community engagement outcomes

Who Should Attend

• Ecologists and environmental consultants working on biodiversity net gain, natural capital assessments or habitat restoration projects
• Sustainability leads in water companies, local authorities and infrastructure organisations managing land estates
• Land managers and planners developing nature recovery strategies or climate resilience programmes
• Environmental professionals seeking practical tools for measuring and communicating the value of ecosystem services