Increased sedimentation, a widespread problem leading to degradation of freshwater communities and habitats

25 – 28 November 2009, Clervaux, Luxembourg

The Restoration of pearl mussel populations in the Ardennes project (LIFE 05 NAT/L/000116) is organising an international seminar on the impact of sedimintation on freshwater organisms.

The project is attempting to save one of the last populations of Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.) in the Ardennes. A major threat to mussels, and many other freshwater organisms, is the heavy load of fine sediment in many brooks and rivers, which causes siltation and clogging of the interstitial, a biotope used for instance by juvenile mussels.

The aim of the seminar is to discuss the impact of fine sediment on rivers and on their inhabitants. Specific topics for discussion include: – What is the origin of the sediment (diffuse inputs, erosion and land use)? – How to quantify hotspots of sediment deposition and introduction? – Methods of quantifying the fine sediment–load and –transport in rivers. – Negative impact of fine sediments on freshwater biotopes and freshwater communities, and in particular unionid mussels. – Methods to reduce the input of fine sediments into rivers and restoration methods.

Further information can be found on the website

Download the seminar programme

 

ELECTROVALUE International Workshop

10-12 November 2009, Munich, Germany

The LIFE + ELECTROVALUE project (LIFE07 ENV/P/000639) will be holding its first event within the International Workshop on Environment and Alternative Energy organised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Center for Pollution Prevention (C3P).
The workshop will take place on November 10-12 in Munich, Germany.

An exciting programme is being planned that will include presentations and break-out sessions on the issues, progress, and technological solutions (from R&D to commercial) with a view toward collaboration.

LIFE project launches new European Week for Waste Reduction

07 September 2009 The first ever European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is set to go ahead from 21st to 29th November, as part of an innovative three-year multi-Member State project supported by the LIFE + Programme’s Information and Communication component.

Some 22 pioneering public authorities from 10 different European countries are taking part in the EWWR which aims to inform large numbers of European citizens about the simple actions that they can take in everyday life to help contribute to waste reduction efforts.

A wide range of practical and awareness raising projects will take place promoting EWWR among European employees, school children and the general public from Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium, Andorra, Spain and the UK.

Project actions will encourage waste minimisation throughout the production and consumption phases of EU goods and services. Opportunities for reuse, reduction and recycling will be explained during the EWWR and good practices in these areas will be profiled at a keynote International Conference on Waste Reduction being held in Girona on November 24th and 25th.

Furthermore, the LIFE project is organising a new European Waste Reduction Awards scheme for the best EWWR projects and the awards ceremony for 2009 projects wil be held in Brussels early next year.

See the LIFE project’s multi-lingual EWWR website for more information or contact the EWWR Secretariat for details about the Girona conference.

7th ETAP Forum on eco-innovation : Adapting to Climate Change through Eco-Innovation

23-24 November 2009, Copenhagen, Danemark

The Danish Ministry for the Environment and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment are jointly organising the 7th ETAP Forum on eco-innovation, which will take place in Copenhagen on the eve of the crucial COP 15 global negotiations on climate change.

The conference will bring together key policy makers and practitioners in this rapidly developing field to:

• showcase the best of emerging practice on policy and action at national, regional and local levels;
• explore the role of eco-innovation, new collaborative approaches and financial mechanisms to ensure effective and sustainable responses;
• enable the cross fertilization of ideas and experiences among participants;
• make recommendations to the EU and Member States in setting future frameworks to support adaptation measures.

250 environmental experts and policy makers will gather at the Forum to discuss how regions, cities and nations are adapting to the growing threat of global warming. The event will offer a candid and in-depth discussion of challenges and opportunities for eco-innovation and environmental technologies in support of the EU Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP).

The LIFE programme will participate in the exhibition and LIFE projects will present their experiences in the conference sessions.

Admission for the Forum is free but by registration only. For more information on the events, programme and registration, please visit the conference website. Read the agenda.