MEETINGS, EXCURSIONS, WEBINARS...

12-15th April 2026: MARID Marine and River Dune Dynamics VIII (Enschede, The Netherlands)

The MARID conferences provide state-of-the-art overviews in fundamental and applied knowledge of marine and river bedforms, from shallow to deep water, and from small to large scales. This edition will have a focus on the theme 'From patterns to practice: (applied) research across all scales'.

 

For more details see: https://www.utwente.nl/en/et/marid26/

 

The 68th IAVS Symposium will focus on “Understanding Ecosystems through Vegetation”. We aim to highlight the importance of vegetation studies in advancing basic and applied research on the biodiversity of world ecosystems. We welcome submissions focusing on plant communities and related topics, including biodiversity and conservation, climate change, restoration of native plants, community assembly, forestry, functional ecology, macroecology, mycorrhizal research, paleoecology, plant invasions, anthropogenic vegetation, Earth Observation approaches, or vegetation classification.

 

 

For more details see: https://2026gijon.iavs-meetings.org

 

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27th June 2026: World Sand Dune Day

Sand dunes are natural landscapes that can be found wherever loose sand is blown, most typically in deserts or on beaches. They serve as a habitat for many interesting and rare species of animals and plants, as well as acting as a place of recreation for people from local communities or further afield. But due to activities by humans as well as erosion, sand dunes in some places may be under threat.

The hope of World Sand Dune Day is to draw attention to these amazing natural features and encourage individuals, families and communities to get involved in caring for them in a protective, restorative way.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-sand-dune-day/

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6-10th July 2026: ECCB European Congress of Conservation Biology (Leiden, The Netherlands)

Reversing the loss of biodiversity in the world’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems is one of the greatest challenges we face. However, effective biodiversity conservation requires not just the efforts of conservationists alone, but also relies on contributions, commitment and cooperation across many disciplines and sectors. In Europe, governments, NGOs, citizens and businesses are already working alongside ecologists and conservationists in response to the biodiversity crisis.

At the 8^th ECCB in Leiden, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners will have the opportunity share knowledge and exchange ideas. Not only will this congress present exciting scientific research, but we will also showcase successful collaborations and build bridges between stakeholders and disciplines. The meeting will provide an important opportunity to tackle the issues that we all face in everyday life, including how to communicate the biodiversity conservation message effectively, and how to maintain a dialogue in difficult political or social circumstances. During this week we will try to find answers to our key question: how can biodiversity be safeguarded effectively in the long term?

Abstract submission 15.12.2025-15.02.2026

For more details: https://eccb26leiden.eu

24th-26th August 2026: European Conference on Ecological Restoration SERE 2026 (Brest, France)

As with all SER conferences, the main objective of this 15th edition is to share knowledge and strengthen links between stakeholders in restoration ecology, as well as to build bridges with topics that are less well-integrated, such as the restoration of ecological networks (particularly dark infrastructure) and marine ecosystems. Particular attention will be paid to the restoration of wetlands and coastal ecosystems, given that Brittany is a maritime and wetland region. The conference will also focus on the application of future European restoration legislation and the implementation of National Restoration Plans.

All aspects of ecosystem restoration will be welcomed, with a focus on ecological considerations, as well as sociological and political ones. All ecosystems and territories will be considered, with special attention given to overseas territories.

Abstract submission deadline: 01.03.2026 (or later??)

For details see: https://sere2026.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en

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2-6 NOVEMBER 2026: Island Biology Conference by Society of Island Biology (Atami, Japan)

The conference about island biology will be in Japan. Japan consists of approximately 7,000 islands and holds the distinction of being home to the largest islands in East Asia. The nation’s geographic formation involved dynamic processes, contributing to its rich biodiversity and geological diversity.

For more details, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/ibc2026/