From local to national and back again: place-based support for citizen science

An illustrated citizen science brainstorming workshop with members of the public in Bristol by the Natural History Consortium

By Andy Jefferies, Senior Officer for Citizen Science One challenge for the citizen science sector is how to bridge the gap between evidence and experiences which are meaningful at a local scale, and those which are meaningful at a national …

How citizen scientists are helping to close the freshwater data gap

With their semi-permeable skin and sensitivity to toxins and water quality, Toads are excellent indicators of healthy pond habitats. Image: Tabitha Roach Osborne.

By Amy Stocking and Matilda Dixon, Higher Officers for Citizen Science Ponds may be small, but they punch well above their weight when it comes to biodiversity, supporting around two-thirds of all freshwater species in the UK. Yet they have …

How new technologies are helping us monitor one of England’s largest grey seal colonies 

A seal and its pup on Horsey Beach. Image: Natural England

By Gabriella Fasoli and Nick Tomline (AI specialists), Emma Milner (marine mammal specialist) and Elizabeth Mitchell (engagement), all on the marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme Documenting Norfolk's biggest beach party On a windy day in December, something …

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 …

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 …

Green Infrastructure: delivering quality of life and environmental benefits for communities

Image shows a lush green canal/waterway running through the centre of a neighbourhood. Red bricked houses stand either side of the new development estate. Lots of trees and bushes grow beside it.

David Drake, Director, People & Nature at Natural England In January 2023, Natural England launched the Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework to support the creation of good quality Green Infrastructure which maximises benefits for people and nature. GI helps local authorities, …

With a lot of help from our friends: assembling an England Peat Map

Posted by: and , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Mapping, Natural England, Nature Recovery, Peat, Species recovery

Contributors: Andrew Webb, Principal advisor, England Peat Map. Tom Hunt, Data engagement lead, England Peat Map. Sarah Parrott, Engagement and impact lead advisor, NCEA. Elizabeth Mitchell, Engagement and impact senior advisor, NCEA   How do you make a map of something that’s largely underground, …

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 …

Green Infrastructure: creating habitable towns and cities fit for the future

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Climate change, Development, Green Infrastructure, Natural England
Image shows an urban park with lots of trees and greenery surrounding the buildings There is a canal running through the centre of the image, and tall buildings in the background. A blue sky hangs overhead.

  This week is Green Infrastructure week, a celebration of green infrastructure design and best practices. Green infrastructure is a network of natural spaces designed to deliver benefits for people and the planet. The below video details green infrastructure in …