Living Lakes is an international network with more than 100 lakes active in five continents. The Members of this worldwide network meet every two years in one of the countries where a lake is associated to analyze the conservation and protection of water and wetlands. In 2019, Living Lakes takes place in Valencia to celebrate the 15th International Conference on Lakes and Wetlands, with L’Albufera as host wetland and Fundación Global Nature as organizer. Welcome to Living Lakes 2019! Do you join the challenge of wetland conservation?

LIST OF SPEAKERS

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME

Download the Living Lakes programme in digital version, with sessions, speakers and guided tours

OUR MOTTO

“A world without wetlands is a world without water” is the motto of the 15th International Conference on Lakes and Wetlands

THE IMPORTANCE OF LAKES

Discover why wetlands are so necessary for the health of human beings and life on the planet

Germany

The 15th International Conference on Lakes and Wetlands will have a large German delegation, chaired by members and leaders of Global Nature Fund and Living Lakes. The expedition is complemented by representatives of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the Private Global Business Action Project for Biodiversity of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and large companies such as Nestlé or Kärcher.

Canada

Canada is home to the group of freshwater lakes in the world. Living Lakes Canada executive director, Kat Hartwig, participated in the second day of the conference to share the works of protection and restoration of rivers, wetlands and watersheds that take place in the North American country.

Cambodia

This is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and, at the same time, one of the most productive continental fisheries in the world. With the help of Senglong Youk, coordinator of Tonle Sap Lake and executive director of the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), we will have the opportunity to meet this unique ecosystem in the world for its natural wealth and its vital importance in economic development and social of the area.

Holland

Wetlands International is a non-profit organization based in the Netherlands that is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands. With delegations around the world, its objective is to stop the deterioration of wetlands and the loss of biodiversity. Different members of this NGO in Linving Lakes 2019 to talk about alliances and business opportunities.

UK

The Lake District in England is known for its rich biodiversity and extreme accessibility. As a consequence, many habitats and species are threatened. The Foundation for the Lake District raises funds among visitors to conserve the landscape and wildlife of the lakes. This is an inspiring example of sustainable development, along with others that are at a Cape in the United Kingdom, which will be shared during the 15th International Conference on Lakes and Wetlands.

South Africa

Lake Santa Lucia, located within the Humedal Park, is the oldest protected area in Africa and an example of conservation for the whole world. Andrew Venter, director of the African conservation organization Wildtrust, brings this success story to Living Lakes 2019 and talks about long-term cooperation programs between NGOs and rural companies for the protection of lakes.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a country famous for its great mountains and natural lakes, but also for hosting many international organizations and being the European headquarters of the United Nations. The delegation will be headed by Tobias Salathé, principal advisor to the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention, and Peter Bakker, president of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCS).

Spain

Spain is the country in Europe with the greatest diversity of wetlands. The 15th International Conference on Lakes and Wetlands will be held in Valencia and, therefore, the Spanish delegation will be formed by a wide network of public and private entities: from NGOs to companies, through representatives of the central and regional government.

Australia

Benin

Burundi

Cameroon

China

Colombia

Dr congo

Estonia

Ethiopia

Hungary

India

Kenya

Kyrgyz republic

Malawi

Mexico

Paraguay

Peru

Poland

Russia

Rwanda

Sri lanka

Uganda

Usa

Urugay

THE LIVING LAKES NETWORK IN FIGURES  

Associated lakes in the world

Tree planted in mangroves and wetlands

Implemented projects

Cubic meters of treated sewage

Millions of euros invested in nature protection programmes

SOME IDEAS

Kat Hartwig. Executive Director of Living Lakes Canada

Wetlands are one of the most important significant ecosystems on the planet. They represent the habitat of many species and in helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and we need to start taking their preservation much more seriously.  Keeping the the world’s wetlands protected is much more cost effective than trying to restore them. This Conference is an excellent opportunity to share experiences and share public-private initiatives that are proving successful in other countries. Because only together we will be able to preserve the integrity of wetlands around the world

Marion Hammerl. Director of the Lake Constance Foundation

During the Conference in Valencia we will celebrate 20 Years of the Living Lakes Network. That means 20 years of efforts of many organizations all over the world to safe our precious and unique lakes and wetlands – hotspots of biodiversity, source of living for so many people and essential elements of our cultures.  The Huicholes, ingenious people at Lake Chapala in Mexico say: “Lakes are the mirrors of human kind”. The Living Lakes Network contributes with knowledge, enthusiasm and action that these “mirrors” become clear again

Udo Gattenlöhner. Executive Director of Global Nature Fund

In November 2017, more than 15,000 scientists from 180 countries, including many Nobel Prize winner, sent a message to the world warning that “human beings and the natural world are on a collision course”. The signatories demand, among other things, the need to adequately manage the freshwater habitats of our world. At the Living Lakes 2019 conference we will deal with this problem intensively, convinced that we can still contribute to safeguard our massively threatened home: the planet earth.

Eduardo de Miguel Beascoechea. Executive Manager of Fundación Global Nature

The Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of the Holy Father Francis on Care for our common Home reminds us that “Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act”. The planet, and therefore, the human species, will not survive by creating natural areas, planting trees or recycling plastic but rather it requires essentially a deep change in the behavior of each and every one of us.  To bring a product or a service in the market is a moral act that challenges companies, their stakeholders (and shareholders), and finally, all the consumers.  

Organizado por :

 

 

 

 

Con el apoyo de:

 

 

Fundación Global Nature

Sostenibles por Naturaleza

Desde 1993 dedicados a la conservación de la naturaleza y la funcionalidad de los ecosistemas