A Table From The Sea's Edge is an art project, devised by Silas Birtwistle to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote conservation of the world's coastal and marine biodiversity as a contribution to the UN International Year of Biological Diversity, 2010.

The project aims to embody the rich biodiversity of nature by crafting a large conference table surrounded by twelve chairs, made entirely from beautiful examples of driftwood - collected from four key hotspots around the world. It is a dramatic statement on the environment, uniting different cultures and coastal communities, connecting land with sea, and symbolizing the boundary between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, making connections between man's land-based activities and the marine and coastal environment.

We are a leading player in the construction industry, committed to creating a better built environment. We produce and supply a wide range of construction materials including aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and precast concrete products. We also import and supply cement materials and offer a national road surfacing and contracting service. As a major supplier of materials to the construction industry we are very aware of the impact our products have on people, the environment and the economy. We contribute to more sustainable forms of construction in many ways. From replacing ingredients in our concrete and asphalt products with recycled or less carbon embodied alternatives, to the development and promotion of new innovative systems of construction, such as the use of concrete to maximize the thermal mass in buildings. We see our goal as creating better built environments not only through the provision of the highest quality and most sustainable materials, but also through working closely with our customers, clients and other partners in the supply chain to find the best solution.

ARKive is a unique global initiative, gathering together the very best films and photographs of the world's endangered species into one centralised digital library, to create a stunning audio-visual record of life on Earth. ARKive's current priority is to complete audio-visual profiles for those species at most risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Throughout the year, as part of our ‘Most Wanted' challenge, ARKive aims to highlight the plight of the world’s threatened species by tracking down imagery for 17,000 of the most endangered animals and plants. Here is a small selection of ARKive species which play a role in improving human well-being.

BioNET is probably the most comprehensive network" for taxonomy (CBD decision VI/8) with a Secretariat hosted by CABI, an international not-for-profit organisation, and with ten locally managed, government-endorsed regional partnerships encompassing institutions in over 100 countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania, the Caribbean and Latin America. BioNET's Mission is to "enhance human well-being and biodiversity conservation by building capacity to discover, name and classify the world's living organisms

BioNET's activities and products

Biosphere Expeditions is an award-winning, non-profit-making organisation offering hands-on conservation volunteer work expeditions as an adventure with a purpose for everyone. We bridge the gap between scientists at the forefront of conservation work in need of funds and helpers, and enthusiastic laypeople, who in their holiday time, through their hands-on assistance and with their expedition contribution want to support them.

In 2010 Biosphere Expeditions will be running over a dozen wildlife conservation expeditions around the world, conducting biodiversity research, working with local people, building capacity and running conservation programmes.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is a plant conservation charity based in London, England. It is a membership organisation, working with 800 botanic gardens in 118 countries, whose combined work forms the world's largest plant conservation network. This site has been developed in conjunction with Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the International Plant Exchange Network (IPEN) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). It contains, among others, information on how to develop an ABS policy, reference to the Principles on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing for Participating Institutions developed by a number of botanic gardens and herbaria, as well as some case studies.

An environmental assessment method for buildings in the UK, based on best practice in sustainable design. It enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credential of their buildings to planners and clients.

The Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation (BCSF) investigates conservation problems in the UK and the developing world and guides and supports communities in tackling their environmental issues. We undertake original research to provide insights to guide conservation action, and we raise awareness and support for this through our sister organisation, Bristol Zoo Gardens. BCSF empowers others to identify and alleviate issues that impact on species and habitat conservation and sustainable development, develops a body of knowledge from the projects we support and from the research we undertake, and engages actively with the public and scientific community, sharing knowledge, eliciting support and guiding behaviour change.

We inspire 300,000 people to look after more than 50,000 places. BTCV has made a significant impact on the UK and International environment and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. We tackle biodiversity loss by helping to conserve rare and declining species, not only in protected areas and reserves but across the whole range of habitats. We also help to create more green spaces where common plants, birds and animals can thrive. BTCV, a registered charity, is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity. BTCV’s work includes regular conservation tasks across the UK but also embraces UK & International Conservation Holidays, BTCV Green Gym, training, from practical skills like hedgelaying to NVQs in Environmental Conservation and helping unemployed people get back into work. The charity also has an online shop, including native trees and plants, conservation handbooks and tools.

CEMEX work in partnership with conservation organisations to share expertise and improve the way we manage biodiversity. In December 2007, we signed a ten-year agreement with BirdLife International, the largest network of independent conservation organizations in the world. We are aiming to conserve and enhance biodiversity within all activities of our business.

COMplus is a diverse global alliance of organisations committed to bringing sustainable development closer to the people through inspiring and innovative communication approaches. Building on an integral social, environmental and economic vision of development, COMplus offers a communications platform to share diverse new ideas, and expertise among global decision makers, journalists and communicators.

CSV Action Earth is a campaign co-ordinated by the national charity CSV Environment (Community Service Volunteers). The purpose of the campaign is to enable people in the UK to take part in practical conservation projects and empower them to improve quality of life for themselves, their communities and future generations. Over the years, Action Earth has built a strong following, with the numbers of those wishing to take part increasing each year. The campaign has now become part of people’s environmental calendar, with many planning their events well before the start of the campaign.

Defra helps people adapt to the changes involved in building a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy. We deal with environmental risks and work towards securing a sustainable society and a healthy environment.

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the part of the UK government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty. We are led by a cabinet minister, one of the senior ministers in the government. This in itself is a sign of how determined is the UK government to tackle poverty around the world.

Earthwatch Institute is an international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world. This unique model is creating a systematic change in how the public views science and its role in environmental sustainability. Our vision is a world in which we live within our means and in balance with nature.

As one of the world’s largest private funders of scientific research, our research program involves a global community of leading researchers, conservation volunteers, NGOs and businesses. We’re dedicated to creating an environmental legacy through scientific research projects, educational programs and engaging people in field research. Our project results are published in hundreds of journals worldwide and shared with partner organizations, government agencies, and policy-makers.

That's an Executive Non Departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Sponsored Public Body responsible to the National Assembly for Wales. The principal aims are to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development. This department plays a central role in delivering the environmental priorities of Central Government and the Welsh Assembly Government through functions and roles.

This guidance is designed to help: companies in complying with the greenhouse gas reporting regulation, a requirement from the Climate Change Act 2008; and all organizations with voluntary reporting on a range of environmental matters, including voluntary greenhouse gas reporting and through the use of key performance indicators (KPIs). It includes guidance on accounting & reporting environmental impacts, mandatory reporting requirements for quoted companies, voluntary greenhouse gas reporting, water, waste, resource efficiency and materials, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and emissions to air, land and water.

Business Consultancy arm of the EUROPARC Federation. Specialists in the policy and practiceof protected-area management. Offering a range of services, from one-off projects to ambitious on-going programmes. Clients: national parks, AONBs, nature parks and other protected areas; governments; NGOs to European funding bodies.

Work previously undertaken includes:

• advising governments on systems, structures and designations for protected areas;
• developing, revising, consulting on management plans;
• developing strategies for environmental education, interpretation, communication, ranger services, sustainable tourism, visitor management;
• designing and delivering training;
• undertaking fact-finding and advisory missions
• offering solutions to practical management issues.

F&C is a global leader within responsible investing since the launch of the Stewardship ethical funds in 1984. We are one of the world’s leading providers of engagement services engaging companies worldwide. We use our influence as one of Europe's largest shareholders to promote the adoption of better environmental practices, with a dedicated engagement programme on ecosystem services, which we launched in 2002. We invest in environmental solutions, including through our specialist funds: the Stewardship range of funds, Global Climate Opportunities Fund and an Emerging Markets Sustainability strategy. Our recent publications have included Biofuels and Sustainability (2008) and Sustainable Mining: Oxymoron or New Reality? (2009).

Conservation Grade is a sustainability protocol implemented by farmers in return for a contracted premium price for their crop. They prescribe the creation and maintenance of wildlife habitats, creation of a Farm Environment Plan and certain production requirements and pesticide restrictions.

FWAG provides trusted, independent environmental advice to the farming community, building a reputation for its ethical ethos and high standards of service. The organisation helped farmers understand the environmental value of their land and make the most of the agri-environment options available.

FFI protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide – mainly in the developing world – FFI saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, while improving the livelihoods of local people. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body and a registered charity. Fauna & Flora International is the world's longest established international conservation body, founded 100 years ago. Renowned for its science-based approach, FFI has pioneered sustainable conservation work that tackles problems holistically, providing solutions that simultaneously help wildlife, humans and the environment.<p>FFI acts to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and compatible with human needs FFI protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide – mainly in the developing world – FFI saves species from extinction and habitats from destruction, while improving the livelihoods of local people. Founded in 1903, FFI is the world’s longest established international conservation body and a registered charity.

GardenAfrica engages with scientific and institutional partners in the UK to develop partnerships with practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa towards the promotion of agro-ecological principles and the establishment of sustainable plant-based livelihoods. GardenAfrica is committed to the principles of the CBD to stem the rate of species and habitat loss, compounded by changing climate, and will launch an urgent call to action amongst its constituents during 2010 to highlight the need to protect the essential goods and services provided by biodiversity.

Gold Mercury International is an independent global think-tank founded in 1961. Our Global Governance Model™ is a uniquely flexible framework to organize world complexity within 8 major global areas. The model combines public and private approaches to generating policy debate and new thinking in the context of Global Governance and Visionary Leadership. Since our founding in 1961, our commitment to the promotion of peace and dialogue through trade, cooperation and sustainable practices has captured the attention of statesmen, companies, the media and public opinion worldwide. The prestigious Gold Mercury Awards for Visionary Leadership exemplify ethical, forward-looking and sustainable decision-making.

The Grasslands Trust is a dynamic young charity working to address the crisis facing our wildflower rich grasslands. Our vision is that one day everyone in the UK will live near to this beautiful habitat. We aim to secure the future of valuable grassland sites; restore degraded grasslands to their former glory; give advice about grassland creation and management; campaign for improved policy mechanisms to protect grasslands; and raise awareness of the value and vulnerability of grasslands.

As part of our 2010 activities we will be running a publicity campaign with Natural England to promote the importance and beauty of our magnificent meadows.

The Green Economy Council was formed in January 2011 to support the government on the transition to a green, low carbon economy. It works with 3 departments: Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to minimise costs for business and maximise opportunities.

The GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK.

The biology and geology collections in our care have three specific functions:

• To provide specimens which can be used as an aid to inform people about important issues relating to the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire and the complex biological and geological processes involved
• To provide evidence for the biodiversity and geological history of Hampshire
• To provide reference material for scientific research and training

If you have any questions about the collections or natural sciences library, wish to visit them or have a collection or specimens you would like to donate, please click here to contact the Museum Services.

Also, by clicking here you can review all the events occurring at Hampshire's Museums during National Insect Week.

Herefordshire Biodiversity Partnership consists of >60 partners from conservation organisations, voluntary bodies, local bodies, statutory bodies and interested individuals from across the county. Our focus is to provide a targeted and partnership-led approach to biodiversity conservation based upon best practice, local specialist knowledge and good science. We aim to raise awareness of local environmental issues provide integration between the national and local level, enabling local partners to see how they are contributing towards both local and national targets.

Heriot-Watt’s Centre for Marine Biodiversity & Biotechnology co-ordinates biodiversity research in the marine environment across the University with academic projects currently taking place in a variety of locations from the UK to the Caribbean. The group works on a variety of systems from shallow intertidal to deep-sea cold-water coral habitats. We run a public outreach website on cold-water corals (www.lophelia.org) that was upgraded as part of our contribution to 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

JNCC is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. Originally established under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, JNCC was reconstituted by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) promotes environmentally responsible farming. Helping farmers produce good food, with care and to high environmental standards, identified in-store by the LEAF Marque logo.

Mariposa aims to create edible gardens in Scotland and overseas for the benefit of the community and the natural environment. We collaborate with communities in need of restoration, reintegration and reengagement with the land, guiding and facilitating the formation of the gardens and the social structure of the garden working groups. Community participants gain valuable experience in the planning, organisation and execution of communal gardens for the purpose of facilitating the needs of the land and the community. The highly diverse, creative, flourishing gardens are sustainable solutions to society’s complex problems.

Natural England is an independent public body whose purpose is to protect and improve England’s natural environment and encourage people to enjoy and get involved in their surroundings. The aim is to create a better natural environment that covers all of our urban, country and coastal landscapes, along with all of the animals, plants and other organisms that live with us.

The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London (the others are the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum). Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The museum is home to life and earth science specimens comprising some 70 million items within five main collections: Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology. The museum is a world-renowned centre of research, specialising in taxonomy, identification and conservation. Given the age of the institution, many of the collections have great historical as well as scientific value, such as specimens collected by Darwin. The Natural History Museum Library contains extensive book, journal, manuscript, and artwork collections linked to the work and research of the scientific departments.
Find out more at: www.decadeonbiodiversity.net

Nature is delighted to present this biodiversity supplement for 2010, International Year of Biodiversity. As nations come together to reduce the alarming loss of species taking place worldwide, we hope that these features, opinion pieces, News & Views articles and original research papers will provide a useful snapshot of the problems faced and solutions proposed.

The council has its own Greenspace Service this service takes forward biodiversity projects to protect and enhance the local environment.

Key facts about North Lanarkshire

Based in the heart of Scotland, North Lanarkshire has a population of around 325,520 (GRO(S) 2008 mid-year population estimates) and covers one of the largest local council areas in the country. The central location, excellent transport links and natural scenic beauty ensure that the area is popular, both as an ideal location to set up home or business, or as a centre for the casual visitor or touring holidaymaker.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is the largest Agency within the Department of Environment with approximately 800 staff. This website is based on advices, and on implementation ofGovernment's environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland. We carry out a range of activities, which promote the Government's key themes of sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change.

One Planet Pictures produced the excellent TV series “Nature Inc.” on BBC, which presents case studies and examples of the economic contribution of biodiversity. Episodes of the series will have run in 2009 and will be available for syndication. New episodes will also be available. Ways to extend the distribution of the series to Parties will be explored.

Oversy is a team of passionate people who care about the environment. Oversy is conscious of many urgent environmental issues and tries to invest its knowledge, experience, time and energy in educating people about the impact of climate change now and in the future.
Oversy Mission is to raise awareness of climate change dangers by working with global experts and local communities around the world. Through education projects Oversy works with organizations interested in issues affecting their local communities. Oversy works together with communities bringing awareness to environmental issues underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across society in different parts of the world.

• Seminars
  

• Fresh Minds Blog

The Prince's Rainforests Project (PRP) has developed a proposal for emergency funding to help protect rainforests and to use incentives to encourage rainforest nations to continue to develop without the need for deforestation.

The Renewable Energy Hub is an encyclopaedic source of renewable energy information and home to the most comprehensive renewable energy installer listings directories and industry ecommerce environments in the UK. They actively promote biodiversity, carbon reduction and renewable power generation methods to the private and public sectors of the United Kingdom.

The impetus behind the River of Flowers, that aims to preserve and promote wildflowers in cities, is a community response to the threat to wildflower survival and continued loss of biodiversity. Our key activities are to plant and support the planting of urban meadows in ‘pollination streams’ to create a ‘river’ of native wildflowers and to map these new and existing urban meadows. River of Flowers seeks to challenge existing stereotypes of wildflowers, reframe the way that people see them and move people towards a better understanding of the role of wildflowers in cities, the natural world and human society.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (“Kew”) is a botanical garden incorporated in the United Kingdom by the National Heritage Act 1983 and an exempt charity whose mission is to “inspire and deliver science-based plant conservation worldwide, enhancing the quality of life”. Kew is supported by the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”), which is ultimately responsible to Parliament for Kew’s key aims and activities.

In pursuit of its not-for-profit mission, Kew works together with international partners to:

• Collect and curate plant material, including seeds, herbarium specimens and tissue samples for DNA extracts;
• Carry out scientific research projects to better evaluate and conserve plant biodiversity,
• Exchange plant material with other research institutes for further scientific study world-wide; and
• Establish a leading worldwide seed conservation network, capable of safeguarding targeted wild plant species and contributing to global conservation targets.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class Herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Kew's second site, Wakehurst Place, is home to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew and its partners have collected and conserved seed from 10 per cent of the world's wild flowering plant species (c.30, 000 species) and the aim is to conserve 25% by 2020.

Kew is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Kew is hosting a series of events and activities throughout 2010 to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.

The global framework for 2010 reporting fosters consistency along with flexibility to reflect biogeographical, policy and data differences at regional, national and sub-national scales. Scotland is represented within the UK biodiversity indicator suite for CBD reporting, and has a biodiversity strategy in its own right. Indicator development was therefore undertaken at the national (UK) and country (Scotland) scales, with close correspondence between the Scotland and UK suites. Some indicators (such as genetic diversity of farm breeds) work best at the UK scale. Conversely, some indicators for Scotland are additional to the UK suite: otter range (restoration of natural potential), marine plankton (ecosystem dynamics) and estuarine fish (restoration of natural potential), together with greenspace and aspects of awareness and involvement.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s environmental regulator. Our main role is to protect and improve the environment. We do this by being an excellent environmental regulator, helping business and industry to understand their environmental responsibilities, enabling customers to comply with legislation and good practice and to realise the many economic benefits of good environmental practice.

Scotland's natural heritage underpins these subjects: economy, health, education, and well-being. A healthy environment leads to healthy people and a healthy economy. The mission described on the website, is based on a simple principle: we must care for and sustain our natural heritage if we want it to sustain us. It role is to look after the natural heritage, help people to enjoy and value it, and encourage people to use it sustainably. This website describes what the organization realizes on key issues such as sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, transport and community regeneration.

SNIFFER’s principal focus is on addressing knowledge gaps relating to environmental issues, and increasingly where there are interdependencies with the economy and society. Current work is being done in the following topic areas: climate change; sustainable land use and water management; flood risk management; and water framework directive implementation.

As part of the Department of the Environment’s commitment to provide environmental information and awareness in order to promote environmentally conscious decision making ECO-ACTIVE was created in 2006.The ECO-ACTIVE programme has grown from a simple public awareness campaign into a suite of tailored programmes and outreach work across many sectors including schools, business and community. ECO-ACTIVE BIODIVERSITY has become the brand for all awareness and education activities related to local biodiversity and will be used implement the department’s initiatives and activities.