JNCC

🪸Yesterday, Day 3 of our Coral Conservation in the Overseas Territories #CCOT workshop, was one to remember! 🔬 We started the day with a visit to the Horniman Museum and Gardens, where we toured Dr Jamie Craggs FLS coral spawning lab and learned about innovative techniques in coral conservation. 🤝 In the afternoon, we headed to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to focus on building partnerships between UK academics and UK Overseas Territories for coral conservation. 🙏 A huge thank you to the Horniman Museum, Dr Craggs, and ZSL for hosting and inspiring us! 🌎🌊 #TogetherForNature #CoralConservation #UKOTs #MarinePartnerships #Coral #TurningScienceIntoAction #ForNaturePeoplePlanet Cayman Islands Government, Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, Government of Anguilla, Anguilla Gov UK, The Government of Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Montserrat Government UK Office, Living Reefs Foundation, The School for Field Studies

🌿 Exciting news! The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) will hold its 11th Plenary session in Windhoek, Namibia from 10-16 December, 2024. 🌍 This marks their first session in Africa! 👀 Keep an eye on our socials to learn more about JNCC’s experience during the meeting. #IPBES11 #Biodiversity #EcosystemServices

🪸 Day 2 of our Coral Conservation in the Overseas Territories #CCOT workshop brought together participants at Fishmongers’ Hall to discuss sustainable financing for coral conservation in the UK Overseas Territories. 🙏 Thank you to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Marine Conservation Society, Maples Group, and The Fishmongers' Company for supporting this important work! JNCC is proud to act as the secretariat for the #CCOT working group 🌎🌊 #ConservationFinance #CoralReefProtection #CoralConservation #TurningScienceIntoAction #ForNaturePeoplePlanet Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, Cayman Islands Government, Government of Anguilla, Anguilla Gov UK, The Government of Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Montserrat Government UK Office, Living Reefs Foundation, The School for Field Studies

🌱JNCC launches new project to help land management 🌾Land managers and policymakers have to make decisions on how best to use land in the UK – from growing food to providing essential natural services such as flood prevention or biodiversity. 🐝We are changing the way we use land so that it contributes to nature recovery, reducing pollution and tackling climate change. Striking a balance on how best to use our land is a significant task but can be achieved with the right actions, bringing multiple benefits for us all. 🖥️This is why we have launched spatial prioritisation, to help farms and land managers to make decisions on their land. Find out more in this short animation https://bit.ly/49dCTtV or visit our webpage https://bit.ly/3Ow9JNg

Today marks the start of the 2024 Coral Conservation in the Overseas Territories (C-COT) workshop in London! Our C-COT team, representing governments, NGOs, and academic institutions from Caribbean and Western Atlantic UK Overseas Territories, is coming together for a session focusing on team connectivity and setting our goals for the days ahead. JNCC is proud to act as the secretariat for the #CCOT working group. Thanks to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Marine Conservation Society, Maples Group, and The Fishmongers' Company for supporting this initiative. Looking forward to impactful discussions! 🌎🌊 #CoralConservation #SustainableFuture #UKOTs #TogetherForNature Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, Cayman Islands Government, Government of Anguilla, Anguilla Gov UK, The Government of Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Montserrat Government UK Office, Living Reefs Foundation, The School for Field Studies

🚢 Our offshore survey team has just completed an exciting journey to the remote seas off St Kilda as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-funded marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) Programme https://lnkd.in/eef2Vnzn 🔄 Despite being rerouted due to MOD operations, our team successfully adapted and the survey plan was adjusted to visit contingency sites at Stanton Banks and South Rigg Marine Protected Areas. During the survey, the team trialled ground-breaking techniques: 🎥 BRUV Cameras captured high-quality video footage of both benthic and pelagic mobile species typically missed by traditional methods. 🧬 eDNA Meta-Probes allowed us to collect genetic material shed by marine organisms into their environment. This innovative method allows us to identify species without disturbing the marine environment. Although the survey threw some unexpected challenges our way, it provided us with invaluable insights into the marine ecosystems around St Kilda and demonstrated the adaptability of our research team. The data we've gathered will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of this unique marine environment and will guide future conservation efforts in the region. 🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the staff and crew of the RV Corystes and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute scientific staff for their invaluable support and hard work during this survey. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in the success of this project. #eDNA #MarineResearch #MarineScience #TurningScienceIntoAction #ForNaturePeoplePlanet

We are delighted to announce that Dr Gemma Harper OBE FAcSS Chief Executive of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is one of 6 new Trustees who have been appointed to our Council, following the AGM at the weekend. Please offer a very warm welcome to Gemma Harper, Bio: When I was a child, I fell in love with nature and that love turned into a lifelong passion. One of the many benefits of being Chief Executive of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) with offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen, was the opportunity to move to Rutland. Having studied at Leicester University, I was familiar with some of the surrounding area, but to me Rutland is like an undiscovered gem in the UK landscape, with expansive skies, soaring red kites and the oasis that is Rutland Water. It’s an inspiring place to live and I wish both to be an active part of the community and to give back to the land, water, plantlife and wildlife that sustains us all.   I have the privilege of leading JNCC, the UK’s statutory advisor on nature, which has been at the heart of nature conservation and recovery in the UK, our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and around the world for over 30 years. I am also honoured to be appointed by Defra's Secretary of State to the Chilterns Conservation Board.   From 2016 to 2021, I led marine policy in Defra and I received an OBE for services to the marine environment, representing the collective effort of many talented colleagues. During my time at Defra, I founded the Civil Service Network for Nature, whose mission is to connect civil and public servants to celebrate nature. I also supported the UK COVID-19 response as Defra Director for Food Vulnerability, and co-led the team to win the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion award for 'Impact on the Citizen' in 2020. As Chief Social Scientist for the Defra group (2010-2017), and with over 30 years leading interdisciplinary evidence teams, evidence is in my DNA. In 2020, I was honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. I am a Cambridge University Centre for Science and Policy Fellow and member of the International Women's Forum.    I am committed to being a good ancestor through public service, organisational excellence, advocating evidence, mainstreaming biodiversity, championing inclusion, and diversifying the environmental sector.

🌿 A Week of Training and Collaboration for Montserrat’s Biodiversity 🌿 We’re delighted to welcome our partners from Montserrat 🇲🇸 to the UK for a week of activities and training focused on the impacts of human activity and plant protection products on biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories. Here the team are learning how to identify freshwater invertebrates. 🌱 The aim of the training is to improve the overall condition of biodiversity on Montserrat, specifically within the Centre Hills Protected Area, by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. 🌿 We’re also focusing on capacity building within biodiversity sectors to effectively monitor terrestrial environments and manage the use of agrochemicals. 🌾 #SustainableAgriculture #BiodiversityProtection #Conservation #CapacityBuilding

It’s #WhiteRibbonDay 🎗️ today, where the focus remains on ending gender-based violence against women and girls. At JNCC, we are working towards White Ribbon accreditation and are committed to ending men's violence against women and girls, by working to foster positive culture change. We’ve had a positive response to the White Ribbon workshops we’ve been running for staff this year, where we’ve addressed the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a fear of violence for women in their day-to-day lives. This White Ribbon Day we support White Ribbon UK's campaign to encourage men to become allies to create a more equal society. #ItStartsWithMen #EndViolenceAgainstWomen