UK and Ireland Lakes Network

Excited about lake conservation? Join leading experts, policymakers, and enthusiasts at the UK & Ireland Lakes Conference 2024! 🔹 Engage with Experts: Learn from top researchers and practitioners in lake conservation. Our speaker lineup includes renowned environmentalists who are eager to share their insights and breakthroughs. 🔹 Interactive Workshops: Participate in workshops and panels that delve into the latest in lake management strategies and technologies. 🔹 Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers who are just as passionate about environmental conservation. Expand your professional network and uncover new collaboration opportunities! 🔹 Beautiful Venue: The conference is set by one of our picturesque lakes, providing the perfect backdrop for inspiration and learning. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to contribute to the preservation of our beautiful lakes. Register now and be part of the movement towards sustainable lake management! 👉 Sign Up Here: https://lnkd.in/eFz6EAsU See you there! 🌿 #LakeConservation #EnvironmentalConference #Sustainability

🌤 Throwback Thursday: Reflecting on Lough Neagh’s Conservation Journey 🌊🦆 As we gear up for another exciting UK & Ireland Lakes Network conference, let's take a moment to revisit a significant initiative from last year: the Lough Neagh Community Bird Hide Project. 🏞️ Lough Neagh, with its sprawling 120m shoreline and a history that stretches back centuries, is more than just Northern Ireland's largest freshwater lake—it's a hub of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community spirit. Yet, it faces its share of challenges, from eutrophication to the impacts of commercial activities. To address these, the Lough Neagh Partnership launched an inspiring project aimed at shifting mindsets and deepening the community's connection with this vital natural resource. The goal? To transform the perception of Lough Neagh from a mere commercial asset to a treasured ecosystem that supports both wildlife and local communities. 🌟 Key achievements included: · Community Bird Hides: Designed to blend with the landscape, these structures offer more than just a place to watch birds—they symbolize a community’s commitment to conservation. Incorporating sustainable materials, green roofs, and even habitats for bees and other invertebrates, these hides are a testament to innovative and eco-friendly design. · Engagement and Education: The project didn’t just focus on construction. It involved local schools, community groups, and even the media, ensuring that conservation efforts were understood and supported by all. · Sustainable Vision: From photovoltaic panels to classroom-sized interiors that facilitate learning, the bird hides are designed to leave a minimal footprint while maximizing impact. As we look back on these accomplishments, we’re reminded of the power of collaboration in creating lasting change. Let’s keep the momentum going as we prepare for this year’s conference, where we'll continue to explore innovative ways to protect and celebrate our lakes. Stay tuned for more updates and join us on this journey of conservation and community! 🌍💧 #ThrowbackThursday #Conservation #LoughNeagh #CommunityEngagement #SustainableDesign #UKILN2024 #BirdWatching #EnvironmentalProtection #LakesNetwork

🔗 Register now: tinyurl.com/UKILNConf We're thrilled to announce our upcoming event designed in partnership with Lough Neagh Landscape Partnership. Our consultants have crafted a robust communications plan to ensure a meaningful and impactful gathering. 🌱 Why attend? · Engage with key stakeholders and experts in the field. · Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of our beautiful landscapes. · Network with like-minded professionals dedicated to environmental sustainability. 📅 Mark your calendars and register your interest today! Let's make a positive impact together. Share this with your network and encourage colleagues to participate.

A Meeting of Minds – a two-day event hosted by the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership and the UK & Ireland Lakes Network 💡This collaborative event in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on 3-4 October 2024 will bring together the local community and stakeholders with the UK and Ireland Lakes Network around the themes of: · Engaging Communities with Still Waters  · Dealing with Water Quality Pressures · Resilient Nature and Adapting to Climate Change · Exemplar Landscape Scale Management  Lakes are under pressure and will be increasingly so as the climate changes. Lakes are also receiving increasing public and media attention to galvanise action. This event is an opportunity to bring people together in a collaborative forum to connect and share best practices to build capability and form relationships which can provide ongoing peer support.  The local impact of this proposal will bring together and empower individuals and communities who gain benefits from the large loughs of Northern Ireland, with practitioners from across the UK and Ireland. The local impact will be an increase in the community’s awareness, capacity and future resilience to the challenges of maintaining healthy freshwater loughs. It is also an opportunity for people across UK & Ireland to learn from the experiences around Lough Erne and Lough Neagh. Please save the date and express your interest here https://lnkd.in/e8cs9edp

💫 Throwback Thursday 💫 In 2023, we embarked on an incredible journey with the Big Windermere Survey, leveraging the power of citizen science to monitor and enhance water quality in the Windermere and Leven catchment areas. As we gear up for this year's activities, let's celebrate our collective achievements and look forward to what lies ahead. 👥 Community at the Heart: Over 450 volunteers, ranging from under 10 to over 90 years old, have actively participated, contributing to the largest, one-day snapshot of water conditions in Windermere. These dedicated citizen scientists collected samples from 100 different locations, providing invaluable data on nutrient and bacterial concentrations. 🌐 Impressive Outcomes: Our efforts have pinpointed critical hotspots needing attention, such as Stock Ghyll and River Brathay, helping to direct remedial actions effectively. Advanced techniques like eDNA metabarcoding are now enhancing our understanding of local biodiversity. 🌱 Sustainable Impact: The project has fostered year-round community engagement and has begun to shape a generational commitment to environmental stewardship. 🔗 Join Us Again This October: As we continue this important work, your involvement is crucial. Whether you're a returning volunteer or new to the cause, your participation will make a difference. Let's keep building on this momentum for a healthier, more sustainable Windermere.

🌿 Empowering Conservation with UK and Ireland Lakes Network As passionate custodians of our lakes and water bodies, the UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) is dedicated to the sustainability and health of these vital ecosystems. Here’s what we’re currently focusing on: 🔹 Autumn Events at Lough Erne - Join us this autumn for a series of events focused on lake conservation and environmental strategies. This is a perfect opportunity for professionals to contribute to impactful discussions and network with peers. 🔹 Innovative Conferences - Our recent conference brought together experts, politicians, and advocates to discuss innovative conservation methods and collaborative efforts. Stay tuned for more such insightful gatherings. 🔹 Community Engagement - We believe in the power of community and encourage participation from all who are interested in nature conservation. Your involvement can drive the change we aim to achieve. 🌐 Join Our Cause - If you share our commitment to protecting and improving our lakes, please spend a few minutes on the following survey. The UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) and the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) are joining forces to host the groundbreaking Lough Erne Stillwaters Conference 2024. Your support is crucial in maintaining our aquatic environments' biodiversity and ecological balance. Click here to give us your views https://shorturl.at/DbIzy 💬 Spread the Word - Help us amplify our mission by sharing this post. Together, we can foster a healthier future for our lakes and communities. Let's nurture our natural heritage for generations to come! 🌊

💫 Throwback Thursday 💫  Transforming Lake Management: Lessons from Kralingse Plas Last year at the UK and Ireland Lake Network Conference, we dived into an inspiring case study on the innovative use of Phoslock® in managing phosphorus pollution at Kralingse Plas, Netherlands. 🌊 Key Achievements: - Significant Reduction in Pollutants: Application of Phoslock®, a lanthanum-modified bentonite, has dramatically lowered phosphorus levels, enhancing water quality to meet the stringent Water Framework Directive (WFD) targets. - Innovative Approach: This project showcased geo-engineering techniques to manipulate in-lake processes, setting a precedent for future ecological interventions. - Community Impact: The lake, used by over 3 million people annually for recreation, has seen substantial improvements in water clarity and quality, boosting local engagement and activities. This success story is not just about technological application but also about community involvement and strategic planning in urban water management. Let's continue to push the boundaries for sustainable water ecosystems! 🔗 Join us in advancing lake management strategies this year by filling out the following questionnaire. https://lnkd.in/ehqKdcvm LIKE or REPOST this post if you want to learn more about our innovative approaches. #WaterQuality #SustainableDevelopment #LakeManagement #Phoslock #UKILN2023

🌍 Exploring Urban Water Management at UKILN 2023 Last year, David Hay from Glasgow City Council shared invaluable insights at the UK and Ireland Lakes Network Conference on transforming urban water management. Here’s a snapshot of what we learned: Innovative Solutions: Glasgow’s approach to tackling the challenges of outdated infrastructure and climate impacts through the City Deal Drainage Retrofit Programme.  Community First: Lessons on the critical role of community engagement and partnership in driving urban projects.  Looking Ahead: The ongoing efforts to enhance Glasgow's resilience against flooding and improve biodiversity. As we gear up for the UKILN 2024 Conference, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of sustainable urban development. Join us to shape the future of environmental management! 🌍💧 https://lnkd.in/eJ4uKw65 #ThrowbackThursday #UKILN2023 #SustainableCities #UrbanDevelopment #ClimateAction #WaterManagement

Unveiling the Future: Climate Change and Lake Ecosystems As we navigate through the challenges posed by climate change, understanding its profound impact on our freshwater ecosystems is crucial. In UNILN conference last year, the Global Nature Fund (GNF), along with the European Living Lakes Association, highlighted some compelling findings on how climate change is reshaping the landscapes of our beloved lakes across Europe and beyond. 🌍 Key Insights: Temperature Changes: Lakes are experiencing higher air and water temperatures, with winter ice cover reducing dramatically.  Biodiversity: The changing climate is altering the community composition of freshwater species, leading to increased fish kills and affecting their migratory and breeding habitats.  Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts: From increased droughts and floods to affecting agriculture and fisheries, the ripple effects are extensive and demand urgent attention. 🔬 This presentation not only underscores the urgency of robust environmental strategies but also showcases our ongoing projects aimed at mitigating these impacts through sustainable practices. We invite all environmental enthusiasts, researchers, and policymakers to join us in this crucial conversation. How are you witnessing these changes in your regions? What steps are you taking towards sustainability? For taking part in our conference 2024, please click on the following links and register your interest: https://lnkd.in/eJ4uKw65 https://lnkd.in/ehqKdcvm #ClimateChange #LakeConservation #SustainableFuture #EnvironmentalImpact 

There's still time to shape this event. Join a workshop next week, or complete the survey to let the team know what you would like at an event on lakes, lochs, loughs and wetlands.