The launch of the results of the UK’s National Ecosystem Assessment is highly anticipated and now expected early in June. The BES is organising a session at our Annual Meeting (11-14 September at the University of Sheffield) to explore ‘what next’ for the NEA. How will the results inform future Government policy across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and how can the research community build on the findings of the Assessment?

A number of invited speakers will introduce this topic, and also discuss how the formation of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) may inform how the results of the NEA are used in the UK.

If you are conducting research which demonstrates how the results of the NEA could, or are, being taken forward, submit an abstract for consideration: four 15-minute speaking slots are available.

Abstract submission and registration for the BES Annual Meeting are now open, but hurry as the abstract submission deadline is the 22nd of May. The deadline for early-bird registration is 1st July.

Full details of how to submit an abstract and how to register for the meeting are available from the BES website.

The session is being organised jointly with the UK Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (BRAG).

All the latest news from this week’s BES Annual Meeting (taking place until lunchtime on 9th September at the University of Leeds) is available on the BES Annual Meeting Blog. We’ve been making a splash in the media with features from the conference, with stories on migratory birds, bumblebees and marine renewable energy all hitting the headlines over the past few days.

Don’t forget that you can also stay up to date with news from the conference by following us on Twitter. Search for #bes2010.