The 12th International Seagrass Biology Workshop

Call for Sponsorship

The International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW) is a gathering of the world’s seagrass experts, which meets every two years to foster collaboration and understanding of the importance and management of these seagrass meadows.

Seagrasses form a productive and biodiverse habitat in the form of underwater meadows that provide services to humanity that potentially make it one of the most valuable habitats on the planet. Seagrass meadows are present around the coast of Wales where they provide important habitat for juvenile fish such as Cod, Plaice, Herring and Pollack. They also help mitigate climate change by trapping significant amounts of carbon dioxide into marine sediments. Protecting these habitats is vital for our coastal environment and for the sustainability of our fisheries. Hosting this event in Wales is a chance to showcase our fantastic Welsh coastline and help put seagrass conservation in the spotlight.

The event will be held from 17-23 October 2016 North Wales at the Nant Gwrtheyrn Welsh language centre and will have strong Welsh focus (www.nantgwrtheyrn.org). It is expected that around 150 participants from around the World will join the event, including world leading scientists from China, Indonesia, Brazil and Sri Lanka. The hosting of the workshop will be a collaboration between scientist and environmental managers at a range of organisations in Wales, but led primarily by scientists from the Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group (www.seagrass.org.uk).

In hosting ISBW12 we are developing a detailed workshop plan that is both output and action focused with workshop sessions run by world leading experts alongside a series of small and local community outreach events about seagrass. These will mostly focus on events with children.

We need you!

To assist us, we’re offering Welsh businesses and organisations the chance to highlight what they and Wales have to offer. We are seeking financial and/or in kind sponsorship assistance for hospitality, hosting and event logistics (please see example list below). In return, your company will receive positive media attention in the run up, during and the period following ISBW12 as well as having your name and logo on the website, any publicity materials and included in a welcome packs for delegates. We’d also like to give you the chance to showcase your products or produce during the workshop in the presence of an international audience.

By supporting the International Seagrass Biology Workshop you will be supporting the work that goes into studying, managing and protecting seagrass meadows not only in Wales but Worldwide. If you feel like this is something you can help with, or would like more information please get in touch with us by email ISBW2016@projectseagrass.org or by telephone on (+44) 01792 606745.

Hosting team: Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, Richard Lilley, Benjamin Jones (Cardiff University), Richard Unsworth, Chiara Bertelli, Nicole Esteban (Swansea University), Alison Hargrave (Gwynedd County Council), Lucy Kay (Natural Resources Wales), Laura Hughes (National Trust)

Institutional support: SEACAMS2, Sustainable Places Research Institute, Project Seagrass, National Trust, Gwynedd County Council, Natural Resources Wales (Welsh Government)

Examples of potential support that companies could provide (financial or in kind support):

• Hosting the conference on the internet as a live webinar for international viewing
• Local Welsh food items and produce to ensure the workshop promotes Wales
• Support to host an evening event (e.g. poster session, communication event)
• Assist with the costs of providing local Welsh entertainment