Two weeks ago, the NetworkNature Annual Event “Busting myths: People with Nature” wrapped up with great success!
With more than 350 attendees, both on site and online, the event brought together a wide range of participants and speakers. Researchers, practitioners, policy makers, businesses as well as civil society, united around a shared goal: to rethink how we engage with nature and explore the potential of Nature-based Solutions to foster this shift!
Over the course of the day, 24 speakers from various backgrounds challenged common myths and misconceptions and offered their perspectives on how we can restore, manage, and value the natural world. Through thought-provoking presentations and discussions, they inspired new narratives on people and nature interconnectedness and how both can thrive and benefit from each other.
The Regenerating Nature session debunked conventional beliefs about soil and water management, addressing some existing misbelieves that are guiding current ecosystem management. The presentations also highlighted the need for integrating biodiversity across different land-uses while ensuring that future land planning strategies align with environmental goals. Speakers underscored the importance of shifting away from siloed, technical approaches by placing all ecological processes, biodiversity and people at the forefront. This session echoed the significance of the Nature Restoration Law, seeking to empower nature itself in addressing soil and water challenges.
The discussion on Nature Governance shed light on the vital importance of inclusive governance to ensuring the fair distribution of nature’s benefits. Bridging the gap between science, policy, and local communities was highlighted as a key step in achieving this goal. In particular, speakers invited the audience to rethink the role of science and data for a transformative change and to discuss, how to take action, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the role of politics in this process.
In the Valuing Nature session, participants were urged to rethink the way we assess nature’s worth beyond purely monetary considerations. Embracing the plurality of nature values is crucial to truly appreciate the richness that ecosystems provide and its importance for future generations. The discussion stressed the need for systemic changes in policy, by integrating diverse range of values of nature, in financial and business models, and in legal frameworks by advocating for the recognition of nature’s rights.
The event also showcased real-life applications of NbS. An exhibition of 27 posters was hosted during the conference, featuring 9 selected NbS case studies (access the virtual exhibition here) as well as related state-of-the-art studies, tools, strategies and technical approaches. Participants could also engage during site-visits of green urban initiatives organized by Bruxelles Environnement: the Maximillien and Sene Parks, and the floating islands in Brussels Port.
In a dynamic parallel session, participants were invited to bust their own myths through storytelling and comic strips, facilitated by The Nature of Cities. This creative exercise symbolized the event’s broader message—the stories we tell about nature shape how we interact with it. And, just like myths, those stories can be rewritten!
This event, organised by the Nature-based Solutions team at IUCN European Regional Office, was more than just a gathering; it was a call to rethink, reshape, and reimagine our future with nature at the heart of it all. It left us with a powerful sense of urgency, but also with the hope that by working together—across sectors, disciplines, and borders—we can create a future where nature and people flourish hand in hand.
NetworkNature extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and contributed.
Now, let’s take the energy from this event and transform it into real, lasting change!
Busting myths: People with nature will continue to live through NetworkNature activities. Stay connected for future related content!
To be continued…