Lesson 1: It’s Not Just Business As Usual And A Few More Trees With Claire Wansbury

The Concept of Biodiversity Net Gain: Claire introduces us to the idea of biodiversity net gain (BNG), a pivotal strategy for ensuring that development projects in England contribute positively to the environment.

Lesson 2: Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain – Why Beyond Is Better For Your Budget And Your Health

Some of the highlights of this lesson are:

Long-Term Management Challenges: The hurdles faced in maintaining biodiversity projects over time and the importance of client awareness and effective management strategies for enduring success.

Evidence-Based Design: Sustainable and health-promoting design practices supported by research, with examples such as London’s recyclable Olympic Park buildings, the healing influence of natural vistas in hospitals, and the positive effects of nature on education and workplace environments.

Health Benefits of Green Spaces: Insights from Newcastle University and Natural England on the connection between green space proximity and public health, aligning with governmental targets for accessible natural areas.

Read more on the Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain online training course page.

Lesson 3: The Maths Matter With Claire Wansbury

England’s Biodiversity Metric 4.0 Explained: Clare Wansbury walks us through the complexities of the biodiversity metric 4.0, a tool used to quantify the impacts of development on biodiversity.

Components of the Metric: Learn about the key components that the metric evaluates, including habitat areas, terrestrial linear features, and watercourses, and why trading between these types is strictly controlled.

See a full list on the course page.

Lesson 4: How To Observe Bats As Indicators – Dr. Carol Williams

Biodiversity Indicators: Bats are more than just mysterious creatures of the night; they are key indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Carol Williams explains how their presence and diversity reflect the state of biodiversity in Britain.

Integrating Conservation in Development: The lesson presents a three-step approach for incorporating bat conservation into development projects, highlighting the importance of identifying sustenance zones, understanding habitat needs, and mitigating impacts on foraging areas.

See a full list on the course page.

Lesson 5: The Mitigation Hierarchy

Understanding the Mitigation Hierarchy: Claire Wansbury breaks down the steps of the mitigation hierarchy—avoid, minimize, restore, and offset—and explains why this approach is a cornerstone of environmental sustainability in construction.

The Role of Environmental Impact Assessments: The importance of thorough environmental impact assessments is discussed, noting how they incorporate BNG principles and are essential for effective carbon management.

See a full list on the BNG training course page.

Lesson 6: What We Can Learn From Spains Hall Estate With Archie Ruggles-Brise

The potential of BNG to provide new revenue streams for landowners through ecological enhancement of less productive lands.

Spain’s Hall Estate: A Case Study in BNG

See a full list on the course page.

Lesson 7: On Site BNG with Principal Ecologist Rachel Blount

Understanding BNG: Exploring the concept of biodiversity net gain within England’s development sector, and why on-site BNG is often preferred over off-site alternatives.

Local Benefits: Discussing the advantages of on-site BNG for local wildlife and communities, fostering an environment where nature and human interests coexist harmoniously.

Discover more on the Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain course page.

Lesson 8: The BNG Legal Eagle, Ben Stansfield

Legal and Liability Considerations: Insights into the legal aspects of BNG, including the transfer of obligations through third-party credit purchases versus the challenges of self-delivery.

Conservation Covenants and Enforcement: A look at conservation covenants under the Environment Act as a new tool for biodiversity commitments, and the questions surrounding enforcement responsibilities.

Discover more on the Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain course page.

Lesson 9: Offsite BNG with Associate Ecologist Paula Wakelin

On-site vs. Off-site Biodiversity Enhancements:

Prioritising on-site biodiversity is the goal, but when it’s not feasible, off-site options become necessary.

Learn how ecologists play a pivotal role in assessing the need for off-site units and the strict guidelines governing their location.

Discover more on the Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain course page.

Lesson 10: What We Can Learn From Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain Policies:

We break down what biodiversity net gain means for developers and the environment, setting the stage for why it’s essential in today’s planning landscape.

The Role of Planning Advisory Services:

The lesson emphasises the importance of consulting with experts to navigate the policies effectively. We’ll explore how these services can make or break a project.

Find out the other main topics of this BNG training course lesson.

Lesson 11: BNG processes and paperwork with Dr Kate Vincent

The Core Theme: The critical importance of integrating BNG into the early stages of project development. Dr. Vincent illustrates why early consideration is not just a regulatory tick-box but a pathway to optimizing project design, managing risks, and streamlining budgets.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: We discuss the need for cohesive teamwork across various disciplines, including designers, architects, engineers, and ecologists, from the feasibility stage through to completion.

Real-world Implications: Dr. Vincent shares insights from her vast experience, providing practical advice and anecdotes about implementing BNG in major projects.

Find out the other main topics of this lesson.

Lesson 12: Strategic Significance with Ecologist Ellen Davies

This lesson explores the concept of strategic significance in the context of BNG and how it assesses the local importance of habitats.

The Role of Habitat Values: The lesson highlights how habitats are assigned values (high, medium, or low) based on their ecological relevance, influenced by local plans and policies.

Discover more on the Beyond Biodiversity Net Gain course page.