SNaP Forum 2026

Register here: SNaP Forum 2026 Registration

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 workshops on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th 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 on the morning of the 24th and followed by training opportunities on 26th March. This will be an in-person event only, though talks will be recorded to view after the event.

The agenda is shown below and attendance is free, including lunch and refreshments. Transport information is available here and there are accommodation options on campus or in nearby Canterbury City. Please contact diceconsulting@kent.ac.uk with questions. Some travel grants are available, so do get in touch with a short explanation of how the Forum is related to your work if this will enable you to join us.

Main Forum: 24th March, 12.00 to 18.00

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 (costs not covered)

Fieldtrip: 24th March, 09.00-12:00

Guided visit to Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve: a chance to explore this Internationally Important Ramsar site and learn about the expansion of beavers into its mashes and wetlands.

Numbers are limited and first-come-first-serve, based on responses to the registration form. We hope to offer an alternative fieldtrip to another exciting nature restoration project in Kent if oversubscribed (details tbc).

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)