Natural Capital refers to the store of natural assets in a place, such as air, water, soil or woodland. These natural assets provide a flow of Ecosystem Services that we rely on for many social, environmental and economic benefits. Using spatial and statistical metrics, the value of Ecosystem Services derived from many Natural Capital assets can be monetised, providing a quantifiable estimate of the benefits they provide to society. The concept of “Natural Capital” has been gaining traction in UK and International policy, with growing recognition that if economic growth is to be sustained, Natural Capital has to be safeguarded.

Our guest speaker for this episode is Natural Capital Co-ordinator, Krista Patrick. Krista has over 20 years’ experience working as an environmental planner in the public, private and community sectors, and joined the Greater Manchester Combined Authority as Natural Capital Coordinator in 2016.  Krista provides strategic support on delivering a natural capital approach as part of the Natural Course EU LIFE Integrated Project, Greater Manchester Urban Pioneer Project and the Greater Manchester Natural Capital Group.  

PLACED Academy in Liverpool is a free-to-access education programme delivered by PLACED, a social enterprise working with 14-18 year olds across the northwest of England. 

The programme provides an introduction into a career in the built environment and is designed to encourage creativity, increase self-esteem and develop a broad range of interpersonal skills. It also gives the young attendees the chance to work alongside volunteering professionals such as architects and town planners, to gain insight into potential career paths in these sectors and to gain knowledge as to how town and city design can have a positive effect on people’s wellbeing, enhance biodiversity and reduce the impacts on climate change. 

Our guest speaker for this episode is Landscape & Urban Designer, Tim Johns. Tim is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute, a member of the Urban Design Group, an expert on the High Street Taskforce and an associate on the Design Council. He has over 25 years’ experience working within the environment sector with expertise in leading stakeholder consultation. Tim formerly chaired the Professional Review Group at Manchester Metropolitan University for Landscape Architecture, he is also a guest lecturer and volunteer ambassador for PLACED.

Eden Project is an educational charity and social enterprise whose sole mission is to encourage and build upon our relationship with the natural world. 

The Eden Project began its journey in Cornwall over 20 years ago, making use of a disused china clay quarry and turning it into the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Since then, Eden Project has continued to evolve and in 2017 it launched Eden Project International and started looking to recreate wonder in other locations across the world including China, South America, and New Zealand. The latest Eden Project to receive planning approval is in Morecambe, Lancashire. 

The £125 million regenerative project is estimated to attract over a million visitors a year to the region, generating over 400 jobs and bringing an estimated visitor spend of £200 million per year. Not only will Eden Project North promote environmental awareness, it will also boost economic prospects and reimagine the area’s potential.

Our guest speaker for this episode is Charlotte Hayden, Associate Landscape Architect and Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. Charlotte has over 15 years’ experience working as a Landscape Architect and played a leading role in the landscape design proposals for Eden Project North.