Date & time: Monday 14 September 2026, 10:00-10:45 CEST
Format: Online webinar, with presentations followed by Q&A. Registration is mandatory.
Speakers: Lucinda Kirkpatrick (Bangor University) and Nils Bunnefeld (University of Stirling), both BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub experts.
With the incoming implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation, EU Member States are facing many challenges in the establishment of national strategies and action plans on nature restoration. In this context, the BiodivRestore Knowledge Hub, a group of experts supporting Nature Restoration Regulation, published four policy briefs providing recommendations for successful restoration operations at national level, part of the Nature Restoration Regulation Policy Briefs series.
On Monday 14 September 2026, 10:00 CEST, Biodiversa+ will host a webinar to present the Policy Brief “Reducing zoonotic risk through nature restoration“.
The brief explores how nature restoration is a proactive public health strategy. Over 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and land-use change is a major driver of zoonotic spillover risk. Restoration can strengthen ecosystem resilience while mitigating existing disease risks; it is a primary tool to reshape habitats, wildlife populations, and human-wildlife interactions, moving from unstable, simplified ecosystems to resilient, self-regulating ones.
During this webinar, participants will hear from the authors of the briefs, followed by a Q&A session. The webinar will introduce:
- how habitat destruction drives zoonotic diseases;
- how to reduce zoonotic risks through nature restoration;
- nature restoration as a lever for One Health;
- practical recommendations for policymakers to design, monitor and implement restoration with health in mind, to support National Restoration Plans.
This webinar is part of a Biodiversa+ series presenting the Enabling Conditions for Successful Restoration, a set of Policy Briefs to support Member States and policymakers in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation. Other webinars focus on Biosecure nursery production, Native seed supply and Public-Private partnerships.
