On 25 and 26 September 2024, McKenna Davis and Natalia Burgos of Ecologic Institute contributed to two landmark nature-based solutions (NbS) events in Brussels, focusing on advancing NbS through collaborative efforts.

Networking and collaboration at the NbS Task Forces Cluster Meeting

The first event on September 25th was the Nature-Based Solutions Task Forces Cluster Meeting, a dynamic blend of plenary sessions and workshops designed to foster collaboration across the NbS Task Forces organized by the NetworkNature project under the funding of the European Commission. Held at the Royal Flemish Theatre in Brussels, this gathering focused on discussing potential collaborations between the NbS Task Forces and Hubs. The plenary session highlighted ongoing efforts within the NbS Task Forces, while the afternoon networking sessions allowed participants to brainstorm and develop new initiatives.

Natalia and McKenna are actively contributing to the ongoing work of the Task Forces and the development of key resources. In Task Force 3, McKenna is contributing to the creation of a forthcoming publication focusing on the Nature Positive Economy, in line with Ecologic Institute's work within the GoNaturePositive! project. In Task Force 6, the team is coordinating the development of a background report and facilitating a series of workshops focused on how to include commonly excluded stakeholders in NbS decision-making. The workshop is planned for Spring 2025.

Busting myths at the NetworkNature annual conference

The second event was the NetworkNature Annual Conference, titled "Busting Myths: People with Nature." This conference centered on debunking common misconceptions regarding ecosystem restoration and management, emphasizing that restoring nature is not merely a luxury but an essential necessity with significant economic benefits.

Gathering a diverse audience including policymakers, local authorities, researchers, and businesses, the one-day event explored how people and nature can coexist and thrive together. They challenged preconceived notions about restoration, conservation, and land management while focusing on three key themes: regenerating nature actions, governance and policy, and the economy and valuation.

Through their active involvement in these events and the related EU-funded INTERLACE and GoNaturePositive! projects, Ecologic Institute is helping to shape the NbS discourse and drive the mainstreaming of concepts like NbS and the nature-positive economy as well as more inclusive and just processes around NbS.