Event on global reflection on the integration of culture and nature

The Cultural Ecosystem Services and Biocultural Heritage: Connecting Nature and Culture for a Sustainable Future takes place at two key moments: a webinar dedicated to exploring fundamental concepts, open questions, and interdisciplinary perspectives on the links between ecosystems, culture, and sustainability, which will take place on March 10, and a workshop at the University of Coimbra, focused on practical applications, methodologies, and case studies that connect cultural and ecological dimensions, which will take place on May 20 and 21.

This initiative is co-organized by the Joint Programming Initiatives on Climate and Cultural Heritage, the Center for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra, and is supported by the Joint Programming Initiative on Oceans and UNESCO's MaB Program.

This event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and experts from the natural, social, and human sciences at a crucial moment for global reflection on the integration of culture and nature. The meeting coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the recent UN Pact for the Future.

This initiative aims to discuss emerging concepts and frameworks on Cultural Ecosystem Services and Biocultural Heritage, as well as to explore the integration of local knowledge, traditional practices, and nature-based solutions in biodiversity conservation. Cutting-edge tools, including georeferencing, digital humanities, and artificial intelligence, will also be discussed to map and analyze cultural-ecological interactions. Ultimately, the contributions will be part of a strategic white paper that will inform policies, research agendas, and global strategies for sustainability.

Registration for the March 10 webinar must be done at www.bioculturalheritage.com, where regular updates with details about the event will be posted.