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Last week, the European Conference of Conservation Biology was held in Bologna from June 17^th-24^th. This event brought together conservation biologists, practitioners, software developers and students from across Europe and beyond. The aim of the conference was to share results of current conservation biology research, innovative methodologies, pressing issues in biodiversity conservation, and to raise awareness of ethical issues surrounding conservation and. The theme of ECCB 2024 was “Biodiversity positive by 2030”.

From our team, Douglas Spencer attended the conference and presented a study on the “Opportunity cost estimates for conservation across terrestrial  Europe”. This study was presented on a session organized by other members of the NaturaConnect project titled: “Designing a future Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N) for a nature-positive Europe”.

Here is Dougie’s experience on the conference:

“I attended a variety of fascinating talks that exposed me to new and interesting methodologies both quantitative and qualitative in conservation biology. I found the broad topic of presentations and posters within conservation biology inspiring to attend. For example, Clive Spash critically reflected on the agenda of green growth and the historic role of economists who have made proposed ways to value nature, with emphasis on the Dasgupta review. Personally, I thought this plenary presentation very thought provoking and it triggered me to be more critical in thinking about the way in which we portray nature in our valuations and models.

It was a great opportunity for me to discuss my work with other researchers facing similar research challenges. Moreover, exchanges with researchers from other fields after my presentation offered new perspectives on my study which has helped me critically reflect on my work. I thoroughly enjoyed making connections with other researchers especially those in the early stage of their career. ”