Regional chapters and National networks

ESP hosts twelve regional chapters: they all contain various national networks. Regional Chapters and National Networks exchange information, discuss ideas and experience on ecosystem services assessment and implementation at Regional and National levels.

Regional Chapters

Coordinators

The coordinator for ESP’s regoinal chapters is Dolf de Groot. If you are interested in establishing a Regional Chapter or National Network or have any other enquiries, please contact us at [email protected]. Click here for more information about leading an ESP Regional Chapter or National Network and to read our Annual Reports.

Mission Statement

Through workshops and iterative email correspondence in 2013, Regional Chapter and National Network Chairs developed Mission Statements and Action Agendas for their respective programs. The Mission Statements define the objectives for each of these programs. Action Agendas provide suggested activities, timeframes and details to achieve these objectives. Suggestions for improvement are very welcome and of course each Regional Chapter or National Network can specify this further.

Regional Chapter Mission Statement

ESP Regional Chapters aim to connect local information and experiences on the theoretical and practical application of ecosystem services with those of the international ESP community. By enhancing communication, coordination and cooperation and collating information across National Networks, Regional Chapters also support government, non-government, business, industry, researchers and communities by providing a central repository of information, experiences and experts within a region.

Main objectives of Regional Chapters and activities undertaken by their chairs

Provide a focal point for ESP members within a Region and serve as the link with the International ESP community
Provide support and advice to National Networks, and coordinate activities across National Networks within regions
Organise, together with the National networks chairs, a regional ESP conference in their region every two years, in between the years ESP world conferences are organised.
Actively approach and engage researchers and practitioners in ES approaches
Actively promote ESP in the region and increase ESP membership
Source opportunities for jointly designing and conducting research projects or applications of ES in practice
Promote educational opportunities to improve understanding of ES
Maintain webpage on ESP website

National Network Mission Statement

ESP National Networks aim to improve decision making on ecosystem services by providing a platform for researchers, government, non-government, business, industry and communities to exchange information and experiences on the theoretical and practical application of ecosystem services at local to national scales.

Main objectives of National Networks and activities undertaken by their chairs

Provide a focal point for ESP members at the national level, in their national language
Organise meetings and conferences of interest to the National ESP members
Work together with Regional ESP chairs, to organise a regional conference, in between the ESP World conference.
Support the implementation of ES science and practice at national and local levels (eg. by contributing to national assessments and policy evaluations
Feed bottom up information into regional and international activities
Maintain a database of researcher and practitioner expertise, contacts and projects
Actively promote ESP in the country and increase ESP membership
Promote educational opportunities to improve understanding of ES
Maintain webpage on ESP website