Background
The Lake District National Park possesses 12 of the largest lakes in England and has over 12 million visitors each year. It is nationally important for its range of habitats and rare species and has the highest concentration of outdoor activity centres in the UK, yet many of the lakes are showing signs of deteriorating water quality and associated ecology.
Following discussions between the Environment Agency and the Lake District National Park, it was agreed that there was a need for an international conference to share experiences, explore the implications of the Water Framework Directive and create a toolkit of good practice in lake and catchment management.
Conference overview
The conference will be hosted jointly by the Environment Agency and the Lake District National Park and look at the restoration and protection of lakes; what lakes mean to local communities; and their significance to the economy.
Through a programme of presentations, workshops and study tours the conference will integrate all those who work with lakes; and contribute to the development of the network of practitioners across Europe and beyond.
The conference will be held over four days from 18-21 May 2009.
Who should come
The conference brings together senior decision makers and opinion formers from across the globe who have an interest in lakes and their catchments and is open to anyone who cares passionately about the impact that people have on lake environments and to those with interests that include land use management, spatial planning, biodiversity and habitats, conservation, regional development policies, community engagement, environmental protection, the water framework directive and water resources.
Participants span a broad cross-section of organisations including National Parks, Natural England, Universities, Regional Development Agencies and Water Companies. In addition, a strong international presence from organisations in Poland, Hungary, Germany, South Africa, USA, Italy and Japan (among others) promises to make this a truly memorable conference with a huge scope for mutual learning and the exchange of good practice.
Agenda in brief
Keynote speakers include:
- Rt Hon Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury, Chairman, Environment Agency
- Jerry Taft, Mayor of Invermere, Canada
- Bryan Gray CBE, Chairman, Northwest Regional Development Agency
- Eric Robson - Chairman, Cumbria Tourism
- Marion Hammerl - President, Global Nature Fund
The conference also contains study tours, interactive sessions and opportunities for informal networking.
Please see the Programme below for full agenda details and visit the website www.lakesforliving.com for further information.
Programme
| Monday 18th May 2009 |
| 15.00 - 19.00 |
Guest arrival and hotel registrationFree time to enjoy hotel leisure facilities. |
| 19.00 |
Welcome drinks reception |
| 19.30 |
Welcome dinner
Signing of Windermere Memorandum of Understanding
Windermere restaurant |
| Tuesday 19th May 2009 |
| 08.15 - 09.15 |
Registration |
| 09.15 – 09.30 |
Welcome address |
| 09.30 – 09.50 |
Lakes: the main issues in the UKEric Robson
Chair, Cumbria Tourism |
| 09.50 – 10.15 |
Our precious lakes; an environmental assetThe Rt Hon Lord Chris Smith
Chair, Environment Agency |
| 10.15 – 10.40 |
Our precious lakes; a community asset
Jerry Taft
Mayor of Invermere, Canada |
| 10.40 – 11.15 |
Refreshment break |
| 11.15 – 11.40 |
Our precious lakes; an economic asset
Bryan Gray, CBE
Chair, Northwest Regional Development Agency |
| 11.40 – 12.00 |
Topic required
Chris Matthews
Head of Environment and Sustainability
United Utilities |
| 12.00 – 13.00 |
Workshops
The environmental case for Lakeland management |
| 14.30 – 15.30 |
WorkshopsThe economic case for Lakeland management |
| 15.30 – 16.00 |
Refreshment break |
| 16.00 – 17.00 |
WorkshopsThe social case for Lakeland management |
| 17.00 – 17.15 |
Scene setting for site visits |
| 17.15 – 18.30 |
Delegates’ free time |
| 18.30 – 18.45 |
Low Wood hotel residents to meet in hotel foyer for transport to Ambleside for boat trip.
Waterhead hotel residents meet at jetty (directly across from hotel) for boat trip. |
| 18.45 – 20.00 |
Drinks reception on the lakeJazz band |
| 20.00 – 20.30 |
Return to Low Wood Hotel by bus |
| 20.30 |
Dinner
Lake Suite |
| Wednesday 20th May 2009 |
| 9.30 – 17.00 |
Tours of different lakes in the Lake District to gain a practical understanding of the issues and solutions regarding lakes and their environment, the economy and community. These will include:
- Bassenthwaite Reflections
- Derwentwater and Borrowdale
- Coniston cultural heritage
- Windermere – a sustainable future?
- Elterwater and the Langdales
Return to hotels by bus |
| 17.00 – 19.00 |
Delegates’ free time |
| 19.0019.30 |
Drinks reception
Gallery LoungeGala dinner
Lake Suite
Ed Gillespie of Futerra, After Dinner Speaker |
| Thursday 21st May 2009 |
| 09.30 – 10.00 |
Positive results through good communications.A review of good (and bad) practice discussed this week. |
| 10.00 – 10.45 |
Ask the panel Q & A session |
| 10.45 – 11.45 |
Refreshment break & poster sessions(Details to be released in February 2009.) |
| 11.45 – 12.30 |
Coordinating and sharing, the way to global lake protection and restoration
A round up of activities and future action
Udo Gattenlöhner
Executive Director, Global Nature Fund
Marion Hammerl
President, Global Nature Fund |
| 12.30 – 12.45 |
Windermere 2009; lifting the profile of lakes? Conference close
Speaker TBC |
| 12.45 – 14.00 |
Lunch |
| 14.00 – 17.00 |
Windermere tour (optional) |
| All activity to take place in Lake Suite unless otherwise specified. |
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