24-26th March 2026
Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, the SNaP Forum is an annual series of events playing a key role in developing the Spatial Nature Planning (SNaP) Community. The Community aims to foster the exchange of experiences and expertise on systematic conservation planning (SCP) in England to support relevant policy and practice.
Building on the outcomes of the inaugural Spatial Nature Planning Forum 2025, the 2026 SNaP Forum will again be hosted at the University of Kent, Canterbury, supported by funding from the E3 Sharing Space for Nature initiative. Through talks and discussion groups on Tuesday 24th March, the Forum will provide an introduction to and update on the SNaP Community, share best practice of SCP application internationally, examples of use in England, and opportunities to expand this to support national policy and priorities for nature.
This will be preceded by a local fieldtrip and followed by two days of interactive workshops and training opportunities on 25-26th March. Workshops and training sessions will be in-person only, while talks will be available to join online.
Attendance is free and a preliminary agenda is shown below. Transport information is available here and there are accommodation options on campus or in nearby Canterbury City. A full agenda and registration form will be available by the end of January, but please contact diceconsulting@kent.ac.uk with questions or to express your interest in the meantime.
Main Forum: 24th March, 12.00 to 18.00 (hybrid)
12:00-12:30 Arrival and Registration
12:30-13:30 Lunch and poster session
13:30-13:45 Welcome | Introduction to the Spatial Nature Planning (SNaP) Community and updates since 2025
Professor Bob Smith, University of Kent
13:45-14:15 Plenary | The policy context for spatial planning in England
Dr Pete Brotherton, Director of Science at Natural England
14:15-15:15 Presentations | Systematic conservation planning (SCP) best practice from around the world
Dr Jen McGowan, Nature Matters: Putting planning into practice: insights from around the world and new directions
Dr Fabrice Stephensen, Newcastle University and IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas: Development and use of the New Zealand Seafloor Community Classification to inform spatial planning
Dr Dominic Muenzel, University of Kent: Where should social forestry go next? Spatial prioritisation for conservation, restoration, and poverty alleviation in Indonesia
15:15-16:15: Presentations | Examples of and opportunities for SCP in England
Karen Faux, Natural England: Delivering the Kent Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Dr David Baker, University of Exeter: Developing Cornwall’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy Using a Novel Spatial Prioritisation Model (Ebrel)
James Barton, University of Kent: Identifying priority landscapes for large-scale investment in nature recovery in England
16:15-16:30: Break
16:30-17:30: Concurrent discussion groups
A: Best practice from around the world
B: Opportunities and examples in England
18.00: Evening social in Canterbury
Fieldtrip: 24th March, 09.00-12:00
Visit to a site in Kent relevant to nature restoration. Location tbc and numbers will be limited.
Return transport between the University of Kent Campus and fieldtrip site will be provided for those who require it.
Workshops and training: 25th March, 9.30 to 16:00
09:30-10:00: Arrival and coffee
10:00-12:00: Morning workshops
Working titles:
A. Introduction to applying the SCP process and its relevance to England
B. Towards priority features for SCP in England
C. Potential applications of a dynamic SCP tool
D. How SCP can support UK policy and priorities for nature
13:00-16:00 Introductory training to SCP tools
Technical training: 26th March, 9.30 to 13:00
Advanced spatial prioritisation training with Marxan, R and CLUZ
Training cost: £125 for attendees external to DICE (including refreshments)