In today’s digital landscape, a strong online presence is no longer optional – it’s essential for success. Your website serves as the virtual storefront of your business, and first impressions matter. A poorly designed or outdated website can deter potential customers and damage your credibility. This is where selecting the right WordPress theme becomes crucial, and I’ve found Emdash to be a particularly powerful and versatile option.
Emdash theme stands out for its clean design, user-friendly interface, and extensive customization options. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a novice user, Emdash makes it easy to create a professional-looking website that reflects your brand identity. Its responsive design ensures that your website looks great on any device, from desktops and laptops to tablets and smartphones. In a world where mobile browsing is increasingly prevalent, this is a non-negotiable feature.
One of the most significant advantages of Emdash is its flexibility. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates and layouts, which can be easily adapted to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re building a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, Emdash provides the tools you need to get the job done. The theme is also highly customizable, allowing you to change colors, fonts, and other design elements to match your brand aesthetic.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Emdash is also designed with performance in mind. It’s optimized for speed and SEO, ensuring that your website loads quickly and ranks well in search engine results. This is crucial for attracting organic traffic and improving your online visibility. A slow-loading website can frustrate visitors and lead to high bounce rates, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings.
Furthermore, Emdash boasts excellent documentation and customer support. If you ever run into any issues or have questions about the theme, you can rely on their comprehensive documentation or reach out to their support team for assistance. This is a valuable asset, especially for those who are new to WordPress or website development.
In my experience, Emdash has been a game-changer for many of my clients. It has allowed them to create stunning websites that effectively showcase their products and services. It’s a theme that strikes the perfect balance between design, functionality, and ease of use. If you’re looking for a WordPress theme that can help you transform your online presence, I highly recommend giving Emdash a try. You can find more information about the this theme at https://emdashtheme.org.
Join us in Killarney on 14–15 October 2025 for the UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) Annual Conference, themed “Mirrors of Change: Reflections on Irish Lakes Past, Present and Future”. This two-day event hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency brings together individuals and organisations passionate about the protection, restoration, and celebration of lakes and their catchments.
Expect a dynamic programme of talks, workshops, field visits, and networking opportunities, all set against the stunning backdrop of Killarney National Park.
Inspiring keynote speakers and expert-led sessions
Field trips to local lake and catchment sites
Opportunities to share projects, research, and ideas
A welcoming, collaborative atmosphere for all attendees
Who Should Attend:
Open to anyone with an interest in lakes and freshwater environments—community groups, researchers, citizen scientists, policy-makers, environmental NGOs, and more.
Session 1: Lough Leane & Kerry Lakes – Explore local lakes through the lens of water quality, conservation, and human impact.
Session 2: Lake Restoration – Hear about ongoing restoration efforts across Ireland and beyond.
Session 3: Citizen Science – Discover how individuals and communities are making a difference.
Session 4: Reflections – Insights from long-time lake experts, ending with a relaxed fireside chat.
Wednesday, 15 October – Fieldtrip to Lough Leane & Muckross Lake – Killarney National Park
Why attend?
· Engage with key stakeholders and experts in the field. · Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of our still waters and beautiful landscapes. · Network with like-minded professionals dedicated to environmental sustainability.
Lakes are under pressure and will be increasingly so as the climate changes. Lakes are also receiving increasing public and media attention to galvanise action. This event is an opportunity to bring people together in a collaborative forum to connect and share best practices to build capability and form relationships which can provide on-going peer support.
Accommodation
Please note that a limited number of discounted delegate rooms are available at the conference venue, Killarney Plaza Hotel, on a first come, first serve basis.
Rates: Single occupancy – €149, Double occupancy – €159.
After registering for the conference, you’ll receive a promotional code. Delegates can then use this code to book their rooms online at the Killarney Plaza Hotel and access the special offer.
Join us in Killarney on 14–15 October 2025 for the UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) Annual Conference, themed “Mirrors of Change: Reflections on Irish Lakes Past, Present and Future”. This two-day event hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency brings together individuals and organisations passionate about the protection, restoration, and celebration of lakes and their catchments.
What to Expect:
Expect a dynamic programme of talks, workshops, field visits, and networking opportunities, all set against the stunning backdrop of Killarney National Park.
Inspiring keynote speakers and expert-led sessions
Field trips to local lake and catchment sites
Opportunities to share projects, research, and ideas
A welcoming, collaborative atmosphere for all attendees
Who Should Attend:
Open to anyone with an interest in lakes and freshwater environments—community groups, researchers, citizen scientists, policy-makers, environmental NGOs, and more.
Session 1: Lough Leane & Kerry Lakes – Explore local lakes through the lens of water quality, conservation, and human impact.
Session 2: Lake Restoration – Hear about ongoing restoration efforts across Ireland and beyond.
Session 3: Citizen Science – Discover how individuals and communities are making a difference.
Session 4: Reflections – Insights from long-time lake experts, ending with a relaxed fireside chat.
Wednesday, 15 October – Fieldtrip to Lough Leane & Muckross Lake – Killarney National Park
Why attend?
· Engage with key stakeholders and experts in the field. · Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of our still waters and beautiful landscapes. · Network with like-minded professionals dedicated to environmental sustainability.
Lakes are under pressure and will be increasingly so as the climate changes. Lakes are also receiving increasing public and media attention to galvanise action. This event is an opportunity to bring people together in a collaborative forum to connect and share best practices to build capability and form relationships which can provide on-going peer support.
Accommodation
Please note that a limited number of discounted delegate rooms are available at the conference venue, Killarney Plaza Hotel, on a first come, first serve basis.
Rates: Single occupancy – €149, Double occupancy – €159.
After registering for the conference, you’ll receive a promotional code. Delegates can then use this code to book their rooms online at the Killarney Plaza Hotel and access the special offer.
Phoslock Water Solutions UK Ltd is a subsidiary of Phoslock Environmental Technologies, a world leading Australian-based company specialising in water treatment solutions. Established in 1997 to address rising concerns over fresh water quality and environmental sustainability, the UK branch focuses on providing technologies for the management of phosphorus in water bodies. Their proprietary flagship product, Phoslock, is a patented material designed to safely and permanently bind and immobilise phosphorus, mitigating issues of eutrophication and HABs in ponds, lakes and reservoirs. With an emphasis on eco-friendly practices, Phoslock Water Solutions UK Ltd aims to safely enhance water quality, support aquatic ecosystems, and promote sustainable water management across the United Kingdom and Europe.
Join us in Killarney on 14–15 October 2025 for the UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) Annual Conference, themed “Mirrors of Change: Reflections on Irish Lakes Past, Present and Future”. This two-day event brings together individuals and organisations passionate about the protection, restoration, and celebration of lakes and their catchments.
Expect a dynamic programme oftalks, workshops, field visits, and networking opportunities, all set against the stunning backdrop of Killarney National Park.
Conference Schedule:
Tuesday, 14 October – Presentations & Discussions – more speaker information to follow in August
Wednesday, 15 October – Fieldtrip (Details to follow)
What to Expect:
Inspiring keynote speakers and expert-led sessions
Field trips to local lake and catchment sites
Opportunities to share projects, research, and ideas
A welcoming, collaborative atmosphere for all attendees
Who Should Attend: Open to anyone with an interest in lakes and freshwater environments—community groups, researchers, policy-makers, environmental NGOs, and more.
Session 1: Lough Leane & Kerry Lakes – Explore local lakes through the lens of water quality, conservation, and human impact.
Session 2: Lake Restoration – Hear about ongoing restoration efforts across Ireland and beyond.
Session 3: Citizen Science – Discover how individuals and communities are making a difference.
Session 4: Reflections – Insights from long-time lake experts, ending with a relaxed fireside chat.
Wednesday, 15 October – Fieldtrip (Details to follow)
UK & Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) Conference 202514–15 October | Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
This year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Ireland) is proud to host the UKILN Conference in Killarney. The 2025 theme is “Mirrors of Change: Reflections on Irish Lakes Past, Present and Future.”
This marks the third time Ireland has hosted the UKILN Conference. It also commemorates key milestones:
50 years since the first national survey of Irish lakes
40 years since the first State of the Environment report
The recent 2024 release of Lakes in Ireland – Mirrors of Change
The conference offers a chance to reflect on the past, assess current conditions, and explore the future of Irish lakes.
Conference ScheduleTuesday, 14 October – Presentations & Discussions:
Session 1: Lough Leane & Kerry Lakes – Explore local lakes through the lens of water quality, conservation, and human impact.
Session 2: Lake Restoration – Hear about ongoing restoration efforts across Ireland and beyond.
Session 3: Citizen Science – Discover how individuals and communities are making a difference.
Session 4: Reflections – Insights from long-time lake experts, ending with a relaxed fireside chat.
Wednesday, 15 October – Fieldtrip (Details to follow)
The UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) is seeking a consultant to help review and assist the transition to a different charitable or non-profit structure. As UKILN continues to grow, we aim to adopt a more flexible, sustainable governance model that enables wider funding access, stronger partnerships, and long-term resilience in our freshwater conservation efforts.
Why Now?
Our current Charitable Trust structure has served us well, but it limits our ability to expand our impact. A review of our legal framework will help ensure UKILN can better engage with stakeholders, secure funding, and strengthen our role in freshwater conservation.
Scope of Work
The appointed consultant will:
Assess alternative governance and funding models (e.g., CIOs, CICs, CLGs).
Facilitate stakeholder engagement to refine UKILN’s strategic direction.
Develop a transition roadmap, ensuring compliance and sustainability.
Provide guidance on securing diverse funding sources.
How to Apply
We invite proposals from experienced consultants with expertise in charity governance, funding models, and stakeholder engagement. The budget for this work is up to amaximum of £12,000 (including VAT, if applicable). Evaluation of submissions will focus on quality, cost and added value.
Deadline for submissions:12:00 (midday) Wednesday 7th May 2025
Frequently Asked Questions(these will not be updated beyond Friday 2nd May)
What kind of asset base is UKILN operating with?
UKILN does not currently have a diverse asset base or complex governance structure. The only current asset is cash which until 2025 had not gone over the £5K per annum threshold, hence the need to move to a new, compliant structure.
What is the expected depth of strategic planning?
We have referred to a high-level business plan over 5 years. What we mean by this is a short strategic plan, including charitable objectives, identifying beneficiary groups and how UKILN would fund and deliver its activities. We are not looking for an in-depth business plan with detailed financial breakdowns.
How is this work expected to be carried out?
We expect most of this work to be completed remotely. We are looking at whether an in-person meeting is possible during the development stage in Phase 1. Please price costs for a half day in-person facilitated workshop to be held in the English Midlands, e.g. Nottingham.
What is the expected scale and the style of stakeholder engagement?
In Phase 1 the stakeholder engagement is to better understand the operating landscape for UKILN, for example in terms of a SWOT analysis, and to inform the refresh of the vision, mission, mandate etc. We would like the consultant to prioritise stakeholder involvement (e.g. stakeholder mapping) and to develop a simple engagement plan. Some of the engagement could be delivered by UKILN to feed into this stage.
In Phase 2 the stakeholder engagement can be a short, online process with a small, prioritised stakeholder group.
How can the assistance with transition to the new structure be priced when the outcome is not yet known?
For Phase 3, please provide a day rate and quantify how many days to carry out two options; one for a simple transition and a second for a more complex structure.
6. Have you considered other non-profit structures such as the co-operative community benefit society model, or collaborative working with existing organisations?
Yes, we would be interested in looking into the benefits of both of these.
Help shape the future of UKILN and freshwater conservation! We look forward to your proposals.
Urgency, Innovation and Collaboration for Lakes, Lochs & Wetlands
The Seven Lochs Partnership hosted the 2023 UK and Ireland Lakes Network Conference in Glasgow on 10th and 11th October.
Over two days delegates experienced a trio of thought provoking site visits in the Seven Lochs Wetland Park and Strathclyde Country Park, and received a series of papers which provided:
European context: climate change impacts on lakes and water systems,
progress with sustainable urban drainage retrofitting in Glasgow through the City Deal,
a range of examples of partnership and collaborative working and community engagement with lakes, and;
lightening talks on tools for lake management.
John Pinder, Chair of the UK and Ireland Lakes Network in summing up said
“The site visits and papers have reflected the theme of the conference ‘Urgency, Innovation and Collaboration’, and delegates have had the opportunity to make new and rekindle existing connections with others working on lakes. Many thanks to all those who supported, hosted and attend the conference for making it a success”.
Sustainable finance for lake protection: a case study from Lake Windermere, Alison Whalley (Environment Agency) and Tim Duckmanton (LDPNA) – Love Windermere Partnership Part 1 and Part 2
Lakes and their restoration – opportunities for nature recovery and people: Cheshire, June 22.
A multi-sector audience of environmental NGOs, practitioners, academics, researchers and statutory agencies gathered providing a great opportunity to learn and share experience on:
The role of lakes in the context of nature recovery networks, landscape and catchment scale restoration
Engagement of citizens in understanding lakes
How lake restoration is being delivered across England
Tony Juniper – Chair of Natural England opened the conference with a keynote paper describing his own fascination with lakes and making the case for wider collaboration to create a more sustainable future for lakes.
Restoring Hatchmere- Beavers, Fish, Hydrology and Pollution – Intro to site visit Kevin Feeney, Cheshire Wildlife Trust
The second day was based around two field visits to internationally designated lakes in Cheshire, Hatchmere and Tatton Mere, to see and hear about issues affecting them, and discuss solutions implemented for their restoration. Including the introduction of beavers, restoring the hydrological regime, altering fish assemblages and improving water quality.
Feedback from the event:
“I am much more inspired to do stuff on lakes”
“It reinforced the importance of focusing on lakes as well as rivers”
“Meeting face to face – changed views”
“I liked the full day of talks, it made it easier to get funding to come”
“I got a big dollop of CPD out of it!”
“The best training I have had since joined organisation”
“The importance of networking is harder to quantify”
Event sponsors
Many thanks to Iolight and Aquatic solutions UK for supporting the event
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about attending, or being involved in our next event please get in touch: info@ukandirelandlakes.org
My name is Hannah Kemp and I am a PhD researcher at the University of Nottingham working in partnership with the National Trust.
Across the UK, many freshwater ecosystems are experiencing more frequent and widespread blooms of filamentous macroalgae, more commonly known as blanket weed. The formation of thick mats on lake and pond surfaces have the potential to cause major ecological damage as well as look unsightly and prevent leisure activities and conservation.
As part of my research, I have created a questionnaire to investigate the occurrence, impact and management of blanket weed algal blooms in UK freshwater bodies.
The questionnaire should be carried out by people who manage or work with UK freshwater lakes/ponds and have a good knowledge of the site. If you would be interested in taking part in this research or could help facilitate the distribution of the questionnaire in your organisation here is a link: https://nottingham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/blanket-weed-questionnaire
By participating in this questionnaire, you will be helping put together a UK wide dataset about blanket weed algal blooms to better understand the scale of the problem. Your answers will also help inform research into how best to manage blanket weed blooms whilst maintaining good ecological status and lake amenity value. Answers about waterbodies that do NOT experience blanket weed blooms are just as important!
If you want to chat more or have any questions or ideas please email me on hannah.kemp@nottingham.ac.uk thank you!
UKILN conference field trip 2016, delegates at Thirlmere.
Join us for our annual conference and networking event on 24th and 25th April at Linlithgow to focus on urban loch, lake and lough management.
It will be a fantastic opportunity to be inspired by others working on stillwaters across the UK and Ireland. You will meet others and network, be able to share best practice and challenges, and perhaps form the beginnings of new partnerships.
The format this year is a half day field trip around Linlithgow on Monday, followed by the conference meal. We then have an exciting programme of presentations and discussion on Tuesday find the full programme here.
UKILN conference field trip 2016, delegates at Thirlmere.