Our group has a strong interest both in theory and practice of conservation biology. Bridging the gap between science and practice is an important matter of concern. We have been involved in several short term conservation projects both in Flanders (N-Belgium) and Wallonia (S-Belgium) on monitoring and conservation of butterflies and multi-species approaches to conservation management and conservation policy. We are, for example, involved in the Distribution atlas projects of butterflies in both regions. Since several years, our group provides particular support to the Walloon Conservation efforts for projects on butterfly conservation.
We advocate evidence-based conservation approaches, rather than relying on conservation experience and tradition only. We find it an intriguing challenge to be involved in governmental and non-governmental panels or agencies to discuss about biodiversity policy and management.