Welcome to Aberdeen! Our partners at @hutton.ac.uk are hosting the 2026 Alternet Council meeting. Thanks to the folks at Hutton for their warm hospitality!

Are you involved in processes, biodiversity science, policy and implementation related to the Convention on Biological Diversity? Do you come from the EU or its Associated Countries? If your answer is yes, @coop4cbd.eu invites you to join its new UN CBD expert database! coop4cbd.eu/news/co-op4c...

Call for Experts: @eklipse-europe.bsky.social is inviting applications from experts to join the Eklipse Methods Expert Group (MEG), playing a fundamental role in advising the Eklipse Expert Working Groups (EWGs) on the strengths and weaknesses of available methods of knowledge synthesis.

Teresa Rocha-Santos of CESAM was invited by the Food and Agriculture Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency to serve as an expert and advisor on microplastics, in addition to co-editing the new Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics.

News from our partners at @inrae-france.bsky.social: The projects Eco2Adapt, FORGENIUS, FRUITDIV and OptFORESTS will host an event on 17 March in Brussels, gathering European experts from research and policy sectors to discuss nature-positive actions. Registration to come soon (free but mandatory).

As gorse can grow well in degraded soils, @hutton.ac.uk researchers are investigating its impact on soil functional properties and potential to enhance crop production. Early results show that gorse has a positive effect on soil functions and crop performance. Read more: mailchi.mp/alterneteuro...

A study by GESBIO from the Universidad de Córdoba advocates for media literacy and training for students to address the problems arising from the dissemination of AI-generated biodiversity videos. Read this news from GESBIO and other partners in our winter newsletter: mailchi.mp/alterneteuro...

In 2025, Alternet hosted its Transformative Change conference in Aveiro, Summer School in Peyresq, A4Cap capacity building assembly, launched two Collaborative Project call, welcomed a new institute into its network, and more. We look forward to 2026 and all it will hold for the Alternet community!

Zander Venter (researcher at NINA) together with Mads Nyborg Støstad (NRK) published an illustrative article showing the loss of nature and natural areas due to land take for construction of infrastructures, housing, cabins and industry. Read more in our newsletter: mailchi.mp/alterneteuro...

📢 A major milestone for #SoilHealth in Europe was reached yesterday as the brand new Soil Monitoring Law became a legislative reality! 👀 Find out more about how the Law will be contributing to the EU’s climate and biodiversity goals: bioagora.eu/news/new-eu-...

"I first came across Alternet through their collaboration with Biodiversa+, attended the Alternet Summer School, and fell immediately in love with their vision, values, and the people who make up their team."

Event alert! An upcoming international conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Biodiversity Exploratories will take place in Berlin from June 8–12, 2026.

The Steering Committee of Alternet met this past week in Brussels to discuss progress and accomplishments in 2025 and our planned slate of activities and initiatives for 2026. Many thanks to all of the SC members who dedicate their time and efforts in-kind to help lead Alternet!

A recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) provides the basis for the European integrated long-term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI) and Alternet to collaborate together. Read more here: alterneteurope.eu/updates/elte...

Our friends at PEER are pleased to invite you to the PEERspectives event on Biodiversity and Trade interactions. This event will present PEER’s new report on Biodiversity and Trade, highlighting key knowledge gaps and the need for cross-sector research and policy action. www.peer.eu/news/detail/...

Join our partners at EMU (Estonia) for an inspiring webinar “Beyond Data: Collaborative and Co-Created Citizen Science in Practice.” www.facebook.com/share/16J6LG...

🛣️ We end day 2 of the Málaga #COOP4CBDTraining with an outlook on the future of the Clearing-House Mechanism. 💡 Participants offered their own views on the opportunities for further development on the road to improving this important #biodiversity data sharing paradigm. #ForNature #ForOurPlanet

The popular @ipbes.net podcast, Nature Insight: Speed Dating with the Future is back! Season 5 has launched today 🌿 natureinsight.podbean.com.

📸 Last week's #BioAgora2025 annual meeting in Brussels! 🤝For 3 years now, we've been honoured to be part of the @bioagora.eu consortium as experts in #ScienceCommunication & dissemination & contributors to nature-friendly policies across the EU! ℹ️More on our blog: blog.pensoft.net/2023/05/19/p...

Upcoming Workshop: Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity (LMFB) Avignon, France 11–13 March 2026 For more details and registration: lmfb2026.symposium.inrae.fr

Five days remain to submit your proposal! Deadline: 15 November 2025 ✨

Call open! 📢 The 2nd Alternet Collaborative Projects (ACP) call is open from 25 September – 15 November 2025. €10,000 in funding is available for successful proposals.

🌊 Can Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) & Healthy Seas Coexist? 🌬️ New Achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) in Europe’s marine waters means balancing renewable energy development with the health of our ecosystems. 📘 More info on the Eklipse request: eklipse.eu/request-offs...

The fifth edition of the "International Science Festival: agriculture, food, environment" is devoted to the issues surrounding food security, food system sustainability and natural resource preservation in a context of population growth and climate change. Learn more: www.cirad.fr/les-actualit...

Just over two weeks remain to submit your Alternet Collaborative Projects proposal! 🌟 Deadline: 15 November 2025.

👋 Greetings from South America, where the #LivingData conference has officially kicked off in Bogotá, Colombia! ⚡ If you are joining the event, come visit our partners from @pensoft.net at their dedicated stand (booth #9), where an array of BioAgora materials are available!

A new article within the framework of the Horizon Europe project ETERNAL has been published. The study, developed together by CESAM and @ukceh.bsky.social, critically examines the EU pharmaceuticals strategy and legislative proposals in light of potential risks to ecosystems and human health.

🗓️Tomorrow’s the day: #BiodivRestore Final Conference kicks off soon! Explore 3 years of biodiversity restoration research. 🔹21 Oct. PM: Knowledge Hub, NRR, & biophysical processes 🔹22 Oct. AM: Trade-offs, synergies, & upscaling 👉Online registrations: www.biodiversa.eu/2025/07/24/b...

Call open! 📢 The 2nd Alternet Collaborative Projects (ACP) call is open from 25 September – 15 November 2025. €10,000 in funding is available for successful proposals.

"The @inbo.be WILDCARD project will compare biodiversity and carbon storage evolution in managed and unmanaged forests in Europe. Litter and soil samples taken at different depths from all over Europe will be examined." Read more in the latest Alternet Newsletter: mailchi.mp/alterneteuro...

📢Save The Date - Side event #SBSTTA27 @biodiversa.eu & @coop4cbd.eu are co-hosting a workshop on strengthening the role of knowledge holders in the #CBD, showcasing pioneering capacity-building initiatives. 📆2025/10/24 13:15 EST 📍Business and Industry Organizations Group room-1st floor

Alternet Collaborative Project proposals should bring together expertise and knowledge from multiple Alternet institutes to maximize the impact on science and policy related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and their services.

"We didn’t just learn; we built bonds across disciplines, cultures, and generations that I know will last far beyond Peyresq." 2025 Alternet Summer School alum Songül Sönmez shares reflections on her experience in Peyresq. 🌞 Read her testimonial here: alterneteurope.eu/updates/testimonial2025/

Call open! 📢 The 2nd Alternet Collaborative Projects call is open from 25 September – 15 November 2025. The ACP initiative aims to establish a comprehensive, responsive approach to research and advocacy in the realms of biodiversity and ecosystems Learn more and apply: alterneteurope.eu/acp/

🚀 Happening now: BioAgora SPI Dialogue Workshop in Ghent! Over the next 2 days we’ll explore how science, policy, & practice can join forces to make the #NatureRestorationRegulation a reality - focusing on #freshwater ecosystems and #WaterResilience💧. 📻Stay tuned for updates! #Science4Biodiversity

📢CO-OP4CBD is going to the IUCN World Congress in Abu Dhabi next month! 🤝Together with @bioagora.eu and RESPIN, we will be co-hosting a session on bridging science and policy in support of biodiversity and climate goals. Find out more: coop4cbd.eu/news/co-op4c... #Biodiversity #ForOurPlanet

Event Announcement: 2025 PEERspectives on Biodiversity and Trade Interactions 🌟 When: 14 October 2025 / 15:00 – 18:00 Where: In-person event | Rue du Champ de Mars 21, Brussels Learn more, view the official programme, and register here: www.peer.eu/news/detail/...

Call open! 📢 The 2nd Alternet Collaborative Projects call is open from 25 September – 15 November 2025. The ACP initiative aims to establish a comprehensive, responsive approach to research and advocacy in the realms of biodiversity and ecosystems Learn more and apply: alterneteurope.eu/acp/

2️⃣Only two days left to register for CO-OP4CBD's next training and networking session on TSC and the CHM mechanism in the context of the #UNCBD! ✍️Register here: forms.office.com/pages/respon... 👀Find out more about the event: coop4cbd.eu/news/save-da... #Biodiversity #ForNature #ForOurPlanet

📜 BioAgora has released a new brochure that details our efforts to map out the landscape of actors, instruments and networks at the biodiversity science-policy interface! 👀 Access it here: bioagora.eu/storage/app/... #Biodiversity #ForNature #ForOurPlanet

@biodiversa.eu is pleased to announce a call for tenders for a knowledge broker to produce a series of four policy briefs. The candidate will be responsible for translating scientific results from 22 funded projects under the BiodivRestore joint call into clear, actionable messages for policymakers.

Day 2 of the Biodiversa+ Midterm Conference has begun with key discussions about the future of #biodiversity research & policy! Stay tuned for exciting developments & for the joint panel on key collaboration of CO-OP4CBD, @biodiversa.eu , @bioagora.eu & RESPIN projects! #Science4Biodiversity

Day 11 - Departing Peyresq. 🌄 Following the conclusion of the official programme, we said goodbye to #AlternetSummerSchool 2025 and the Peyresq community.

Day 10 of #AlternetSummerSchool was the final official day of the 2025 programme--and time for the students to unveil their collaborative project ("Transform-Alps: Promoting sustainable futures in Alpine regions").

Day 9 of #AlternetSummerSchool: Talks on human-wildlife conflict from Hanna Pettersson and defining your power position from Sander Jacobs. Then, working group sessions and an aperitif talk on the case for #degrowth from Erik Gomez-Baggethun.

Day 8 of #AlternetSummerSchool featured a talk on hope, joy, resistance, and transformations by Sybille van den Hove, a discussion of Peiresc Mundi’s initiative to support Ukrainians by our host, Gabrielle Auger, group mapping exercises, and a free afternoon for students to enjoy their surroundings.

🐝✨ Did you know #HoneyBees can help track “forever chemicals” in our environment? A new study from the Hutton and University of Graz shows #bees are effective bioindicators for #PFAS contamination, offering a natural way to monitor pollution. More: ow.ly/tzj650WUugK

#AlternetSummerSchool day 7: Talks by Nicolas Dendoncker (“A geographer’s journey on how we live on planet earth and how we could live better”), Bruno Locatelli (“Social-ecological transformations in Peru”), and Anne Teller of the EU Commission (“Life at the #biodiversity science-policy interface”).

📢 Between 23-25 September, CO-OP4CBD will support @ec.europa.eu for the official launch of the new European Subregional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre! 👀 Find out more about the milestone event here: coop4cbd.eu/news/co-op4c... #Biodiversity #ForNature #ForOurPlanet

🌍 As part of #CWNE25, we invite you to a Farming Taster Day at #Glensaugh Research Farm: 🚶‍♂️ Farm tour showcasing climate-positive farming 🌱 Learn about peatland restoration, GHG reduction & agroforestry 📅 25th September | 🕙 Tours 10am & 2pm More: ow.ly/NhJx50WTQu5