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Natural Capital

Working together for Nature Recovery in Greater Manchester  

On-site at the Green Earth Allwood Farm Biodiversity Habitat Bank, from left, Northstone Development Director Jon England; Mayor Andy Burnham; Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain; Natural England Chair Tony Juniper; and Green Earth Developments Co-chair Simon Towers

The launch of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been a major achievement this year – this world-leading initiative means that for the first time, development must leave nature measurably improved. I was lucky enough to visit Greater Manchester to speak …

From AI to underwater microphones: improving the evidence base for marine mammals 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Ecosystem Services, Evidence, Marine environment, Natural Capital, Natural England
Grey seal © Trudy Russell, Natural England

By Samantha Parker and Emma Milner, Natural England marine mammal senior specialists  Why are seal population numbers changing so fast along our coasts? How are porpoise feeding patterns changing as our seas become increasingly crowded? And how does the health …

International use of England's biodiversity metric having global impact

An aerial view of the city of Uppsala in Sweden, where the Natural England biodiversity metric has been used

By Nick White, Principal Adviser on Biodiversity Net Gain, and Steve Panks, Principal Specialist Biodiversity Net Gain and Biodiversity Metrics, at Natural England, explore the global significance of the biodiversity metric and its role in nature recovery across the world.  …

Seabed Saviours - the EU Life Recreation ReMEDIES project comes to an end

Sensitive seabed, seagrass. Credit: Lewis Jeffries

By Fiona Tibbitt, Project Manager on the EU Life Recreation ReMEDIES  I have had the privilege of being Project Manager on the EU Life Recreation ReMEDIES project for the last one and half years. I’ll admit it was a daunting …

Mapping our green and blue spaces: the green infrastructure mapping project

Martin Moss, senior officer for green infrastructure mapping, and Sarah Parrott, higher officer for engagement and impact If you looked at a map of your local area, could you identify the accessible green spaces? What about the blue ones? If …

Biodiversity Net Gain: delivering benefits for health

A pond that has been installed at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service site in York. (Image courtesy of Alexis Percival)

This Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) guest blog explores the essential role of nature in promoting overall health. Experts highlight its benefits for mental and physical well-being. They also discuss the broader benefits of integrating BNG into project planning from the …

State of Natural Capital Report for England is now published

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Evidence, Natural Capital, Natural England, Nature Recovery
saltmarsh, intertidal mud

The State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024 : Risks to nature and why it matters, a new report from Natural England, was published on 9 October 2024.  The economy and society are intimately dependent on the health of the …

Reflecting on the first six months of BNG

A development at Woodhurst Park, Bracknell, Berkshire, that has incorporated BNG on-site. (Image courtesy of Berkeley Group)

By Chris Kaighin – Deputy Director, Biodiversity Net Gain Services It has been six months since the world-leading initiative Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory for most planning applications under the Town and Country Planning Act. BNG makes sure development …

A new interactive website for our National Character Area profiles

NCA 36: Southern Pennines – Stoodley Pike

By Sally Marshall, Principal Landscape Adviser, Natural England Today (14 May 2024) we are excited to be launching a new interactive website for England’s National Character Areas (NCAs). This latest chapter in the long history of NCAs makes the valued …

England Ecosystem Survey: introducing England’s largest ever field survey

Sometimes the sun even shines while we’re out surveying! Surveyors out in the Lake District

By Isabel Sloman, Manager, and Elizabeth Mitchell, Senior Advisor for Engagement and Impact, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme The England Ecosystem Survey (EES), the largest field survey ever undertaken in the UK, is now well underway. Working at thousands …