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Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is undoubtedly a hot topic high on everyone’s agenda for 2023. Whilst some local authorities are already planning and delivering BNG, all are now gearing up to implement the mandatory 10% net gain that developers and landowners will be required to deliver across their projects, becoming effective in November 2023. But it’s not just developers and estate owners who are considering their biodiversity responsibilities – householders and communities too can make a real difference to habitat creation and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Increasing biodiversity
When it comes to increasing biodiversity, planting trees is the obvious solution and does, of course, have great environmental benefit. Trees provide habitats for a multitude of organisms and, from some of our largest species down to the smallest, are an important food source for countless species and provide a foothold for often overlooked epiphytes like mosses and lichens. Trees and woodlands are often the ‘go to’ option when habitat creation, biodiversity improvement or rewilding is considered for an area, and indeed it is likely that much of post glacial Britain was covered by woodland – the so-called wildwood (do you see what I did there?).
But there is an unfortunate problem with woodland habitat creation: it takes years, even decades, before a newly planted woodland reaches maturity and becomes that desired biodiverse habitat. This is often reflected in biodiversity net gain calculations where woodland creation, because of this long maturity, has a lower habitat creation ‘score’ than other, quicker maturing, habitats. Therefore, a larger area of planting may be required to achieve the necessary biodiversity net gain.
Dig a pond
So how do we create a habitat that is quick to mature and provides an environment that has similar potential for biodiversity?
The answer
is dig a pond. A well planned and well-located pond can be quick to mature and will
provide habitat for a wide variety of organisms. Unlike a
woodland (at least in its early stages), a pond requires very little maintenance in order to thrive.
No fish
A wildlife pond requires a different approach to an ornamental fish pond. Firstly, NO FISH. Unless you are planning a very large pond where a small number of native species may be possible, any introduced fish will soon clear the pond of invertebrates. No invertebrates will mean larger animals such as frog, toad and newt tadpoles will have no food source. The presence of fish can seriously deplete the potential for a wildlife pond.
Access for wildlife
It is important that wildlife can get in and out of the pond. A steep sided pond made of concrete or plastic will mean any animals getting into the pond will be unable to leave, including those that didn’t mean to enter. This means that poorly designed ponds can be a death trap to small mammals and reptiles. Design your pond with at least some gentle slopes, well positioned cobbles and branches can also be very useful additions.
Size doesn’t matter
The size doesn’t really matter, any standing water will attract wildlife, it may even be more beneficial to create a series of smaller ponds than one large one. Try to create a series of water depths, an area that is over 0.5m deep will allow over wintering animals the chance to survive the cold – ponds that are too shallow may freeze completely and so kill all hibernating animals.
Location
Location is important for a pond to flourish. It should receive as much sun as possible, a permanently shaded pond may not be successful. Also, if it is overshadowed by branches then it is likely to quickly fill with leaves which will seriously inhibit the life in the pond as the decomposition process removes oxygen from the water. Too much sun isn’t a problem as long as the pond isn’t in danger of drying completely for long periods. Occasional drying out isn’t a problem and may even be advantageous to some species.
Native plants
Animals will come to your pond, but plants won’t, at least not in short term. Use native plants where possible and research the best ones for the size of your pond; ponds can become swamped by a vigorous plant. Resist the temptation to put in a large lily in a small pond, the leaves will quickly cover the pond and shut out light. Marsh marigold, flowering rush, water plantain and purple loosestrife will provide a beautiful display of flowers throughout the spring and summer. Make sure that you only use low nutrient substrate to plant into, otherwise your pond will quickly turn into a green soup, due to rapid algal growth.
Maintenance
In the early years, a pond may need a little maintenance as the water nutrient balance becomes established. Allow the chance for the pond to become stabilised before rushing into remedial action and resist the temptation to use any kind of chemical control – trust in nature. If a plant becomes too vigorous or filamentous algae starts to take over, then some removal may be required. Do this in autumn before animals start to hibernate and leave the removed material on the side of the pond for a day or two to allow any removed fauna the chance to get back into the pond.
Wildwood’s pond projects
Wildwood Ecology has a proven record of designing and overseeing the creation of ponds. Projects have included the creation of successful compensation ponds as part of great crested newt district licence schemes and providing advice for pond creation as part of a site-wide management plan.
Get in touch if you are planning pond creation projects or to discuss how ponds can help you to meet the biodiversity net gain requirements for your project.
David Withington – Consultant Ecologist
About 25 years ago I was visiting the seal sanctuary at Gweek in Cornwall. The sanctuary looks over the Helford River which at the time was very muddy, the water was low as it was in August, with mature over-hanging trees, a Greenshank, one of my favourite birds, was keeping me entertained.
But the Greenshank isn’t the reason why that day sticks firmly in my memory. Through my binoculars, a bright white blob suddenly appeared, obviously a wading bird with its long legs which, when it lifted them out of the mud, ended in rather comical looking bright yellow feet. I had to look at the lesser thumbed pages of my Collins Bird Guide to discover that it was a Little Egret. I assumed that such an exotic looking bird was an escapee from someone’s collection, but a little research later in the day said that this was a wild bird, already reported to the local bird group.
25 years later
Fast forward 25 years and it is not unusual to see a Little Egret standing motionless on the banks of the pond in my local park. Go to any area of water; rivers, canals, lakes, large ponds, and there is a good chance that you will come across this bird, still as beautiful as that day in Gweek, but no longer creating quite the same amount of excitement.
The history of Little Egrets in Britain is quite a remarkable one. Up until the late 1980s it was very much a vagrant bird with around 15 sightings a year usually in spring. Since then things have changed dramatically, starting with an autumn invasion of around 40 birds in 1989, with numbers increasing annually resulting in the first breeding pair in Dorset in 1996. Today’s figures, according to the BTO, are somewhere in the region of 11,000 nesting pairs with even more joining them over winter in the UK. And they are not alone, the closely related Great Egret (once quite a rare bird throughout Europe) and Cattle Egret are coming to the UK in ever increasing numbers.
The Egrets are not alone
So do you have to be a spectacularly feathered bird, like the Egrets, to enjoy this influx into the UK? Well no. If you put out seed in your garden, there is a good chance of a little grey bird with a black or brown cap visiting during the winter months, the only sometimes aptly named, Blackcap. This is a warbler and like most of our warblers they used to migrate to warmer climes in the winter. But more and more of our Blackcaps are choosing to winter in the UK, indeed some migrate here to spend the winter in our gardens. This is also true for a warbler, this time wholly aptly named, the Chiffchaff. Although still very rare, that most famous of migratory birds, the swallow has been seen to overwinter in South Wales and Cornwall and other migratory species such as the whitethroat and garden warbler are delaying their departure until later and later in the year.
So what’s driving these changes? The ‘knee-jerk’ response is climate change and that is most probably a major factor when it comes to the Egrets and the timing of departure of the migrating birds. But the picture, as always, is probably more complex than a single factor. It seems that when it comes to the Blackcap, for instance, an increase in the number of us putting out seed in our gardens is a major contributor to the numbers overwintering in the UK.
A note of caution
But there is a note of caution for any bird species eyeing these islands as a winter destination. The Collared Dove first came here to breed in 1955, having spent the previous 20 years spreading northward from its middle eastern homeland. It quickly increased in number to become one of our commonest species. However, in England at least, their numbers have been dropping quite dramatically in the last 15 years or so, again the reasons for this are not clear.
So it seems there are winners, if indeed some of these distribution changes are due to climate change, but the predicted devastating impacts of climate change will mean that there are likely to be many more losers. For every, once exotic, species that has benefited from recent environmental changes such as the Little Egret, there are many, already resident, species that are beginning to suffer catastrophic population declines.
David Withington – Consultant Ecologist
Bats across the world are a vital part of the ecosystems in which they live, however they face decline due to various threats. As we plough through the busiest bat survey season on record, we reflect on just why bats are so important and what actions are being done to help conserve them.
What is a bat?
Bats are the only true flying mammals in the world. They are part of the order Chiroptera which translates as “hand wing”, meaning they have a membranous wing stretched between their five fingers. Most bat species use echolocation to navigate (similar to cetaceans). They are classified into two sub orders: mega-chiroptera and micro-chiroptera.
The bats in the United Kingdom are part of the Micro-chiroptera sub-order. Bats make up roughly a quarter of all mammals in Britain. There are 17 species of bats that breed in the UK, with one rare migratory species also present, the greater-mouse eared bat.
The numbers of bats in the UK and across Europe have fallen dramatically over the last century. Our most common bat, the common pipistrelle, declined by 70% between 1978 and 1993. This decline is of great concern, as bats fill many important ecological roles.
Why are bats important?
Bats play a critical role within their ecosystems. They are predators to insects, and are therefore important in reducing populations of pest species. It has been estimated that one bat can eat up to a thousand insects per night! Some bats act as pollinators and seed dispersal agents, these are predominantly fruit and nectar eating species. Bats have an important role in soil fertilisation, their guano is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus.
Habitat use
Bats are mobile species which use a wide range of habitats including farmland, grassland, hedgerows, wetlands, woodlands and urban areas. Their habitats are used for key behaviours including foraging, commuting and roosting. Every species has a preference towards certain habitats. A Daubenton’s bat for example, prefers freshwater such as lakes.
Woodlands and hedgerows are particularly important habitats for bats, they provide essential foraging and roosting opportunities. Oak and ash trees are important for Bechstein’s bat, they frequently roost in old woodpecker holes. Lesser horseshoe bats rarely roost in woodlands but commonly forage within them. A species with a preference for foraging in deciduous woodland is the brown long-eared bat. They glean their prey from bark and leaves. This means that they use their large ears to detect their prey and then take them off of a solid surface, rather than capturing them in mid-flight. This species is found roosting in trees close to the ground.
What are bats threatened by?
Alteration of Habitat – Bats have been impacted massively by humans in recent years. The detrimental activities include: urbanisation, drainage of marshes, felling of trees and canalisation of rivers. Intensive agriculture is a huge problem. All of these things impact upon insect populations, which are bats only food source. It has been found that serotines, Leisler’s, greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bats avoid arable fields with monocultures of vegetable crops. Additionally, pesticides significantly reduce insect prey abundance.
Climate Change – It is predicted that global temperatures will increase and more extreme weather events will occur in the future, which will impact bats greatly as they are warm-blooded mammals. In the winter bats must have a low constant temperature in order to survive. Unless bats adapt or migrate to find more suitable sites to roost, they may not survive. In Costa Rica, bats have recently been discovered at higher than normal elevations. UK bat species are likely to mirror this.
Additionally, bat species may be impacted indirectly. Many plants and bats have co-evolved symbiotic relationships; bats provide both pollination and seed-dispersal services as some species feed on the plant’s fruit and flowers. Provided that bat migration and blooming fall out of sync, both plants and pollinators are threatened. In the UK, the seasons have become less predictable, resulting in many bats leaving hibernation early during warm spells and then getting caught out when the temperature drops again.
Artificial Light – As bats are nocturnal, they are strongly affected by artificial lighting. Bat responses to light are species specific; for example, the western barbastelle common pipistrelle frequently feeds around street lights, whereas the lesser horseshoe bat which tends to forage in more confined spaces are light averse. Light makes bats more vulnerable to predators during commuting, however, it may also act as a barrier to movement. Artificial lighting also affects roosting bats, it has been seen to delay and prevent the emergence of individuals from roosts.
Renewable Energy – 100,000s of bats die each year at wind energy facilities, after collision with rotating blades of turbines. Fatalities are greatest during the autumn and nights when wind speed is low. The most vulnerable bats are those that make long distance seasonal migrations.
What’s Being Done to Protect Bats?
Law and Legislation
In the UK all bat species are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Species and Habitat regulations (2017). It is an offence to ‘capture, kill, possess or injure a bat, damage, destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places and/ or disturb a bat in its resting place. If caught doing any of these activities, penalties can reach £5000, and a custodial sentence for up to six months.
If a member of the public requires assistance, they should contact the Bat Conservation Trust Helpline.
Additionally, certain bat species have further legislation; some bats are Annex II species, such as horseshoe bats, which require the designation of Special Areas of Conservation. Some species are special Biodiversity Action Plan species, meaning they are threatened and require conservation action, e.g. horseshoe bats, brown-long eared, soprano pipistrelle and noctule.
Help to conserve bats
There are many ways in which people can help conserve bats.
Placing artificial bat houses in gardens is a good place to start, it will provide roosting opportunities for bats. Planting wildflowers, creating ponds and building log piles will help to increase the abundance of insects in gardens. It is also important that artificial light is limited in gardens around dusk. Encouraging people to get involved in local bat walks and becoming a member of a local bat group is a great way to get to know local wildlife. Additionally, getting involved with citizen science such as the Bat Conservation Trust National Monitoring Programme, will help reveal trends in populations. This can be done from a garden or local area, all that is needed is to watch for wildlife for the duration of an hour.
References
Bat Conservation International (2022) Bats and Wind Energy Accessed 04/04/22 https://www.batcon.org/our-work/research-and-scalable-solutions/wind-energy/
Bat Conservation International. Climate Change and Bats. https://www.batcon.org/article/climate-change-and-bats/
Bat Conservation Trust (2021) Drivers of Bat Declines. https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2021/02/drivers-of-bat-declines>
Bat Conservation Trust (2022) Sunset Survey. https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/surveys/sunset-sunrise-survey
Bat Conservation Trust (2022) National Bat Helpline. https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-helpline
Bat Conservation Trust (2022) Woodland Specialists. https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/landscapes-for-bats/bats-and-woodland/woodland-specialists
Browning, E., Barlow, K.E., Burns, F., Hawkings, C., Boughey, K. (2021) Drivers of European bat population change: a review reveals evidence gaps. Mammal review. 51(3)353-368.
Jennings, N. (2018) RSPB spotlight: Bats. Bloomsbury Wildlife. London.
Kunz, T.H., Braun de Torrez, E., Bauer, D., Lobova, T., Fleming, T.H. (2011) Ecosystem services provided by bats, The Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology. 1-38.
Packman, C., Zeale, M., Harris, S. & Jones, G. (2015). Management of bats in churches – a pilot, English Heritage Research Project: 6199.
Ramírez-Fráncel et al. (2021) Bats and their vital ecosystem services: a global review. Integrative zoology. 17:2-23
WWT (2022) Bats. https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetland-wildlife/bats/
Ellen Peel, Seasonal Assistant Ecologist
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health in everyday life. The Mental Health Foundation began Mental Health Awareness Week 21 years ago, and each year a new theme is chosen – this year it’s loneliness. This week provides an opportunity for the entire UK to focus on achieving excellent mental health, and it’s now one of the most well-known awareness weeks in the UK and around the world. This blog looks at the opportunity to connect with nature and the incredible benefit it plays on our mental health.
What’s the evidence?
Nature and the natural world around us, plays an essential role in improving our mental and emotional well-being.
Nature has surrounded us for all of human history, but sadly many of us fail to fully appreciate the natural world around us and the benefits it can bring.
A wildlife-rich environment, according to research, can boost both our physical and mental health. Simply being outside in natural light can be really beneficial to our mental health and improving our mood.
Various studies have found that different types of exposures to nature are linked to mental health benefits (Bratman et al., 2019; Berman et al., 2008), and research shows that our brains actually respond differently in natural surroundings and we become calmer.
Ways to connect with nature
Mindfulness – Try to observe your surroundings. This could be watching your favourite flowers blossom, listening to the birds in the trees, or even watching the clouds move. Simply sit with nature for a few minutes each day in whatever way is meaningful for you.
Get creative within your natural surroundings – there are many different ways to get creative with nature, this can be through wildlife photography and painting or drawing the landscape in front of you, or a bird in your garden.
Outdoor exercise – regular exercise has been shown to improve mental health, helping you relax, improving memory, promoting better sleep, and improving general mood. To get some fresh air, go for daily walks, jogs, or cycles, or even try gardening. The Wildlife Trusts have some great ideas to introduce wildlife and nature into your own garden, including how to build a pond, how to attract butterflies to your garden, how to make a hedge for wildlife, and so many more ideas to try.
During lockdown, enjoying nature helped us to escape the effects of the long months of the pandemic, and millions of the UK public turned to nature. Research carried out by the Mental Health Foundation showed that “going for walks was one of our top coping strategies and 45% reported being in green spaces had been vital for their mental health”.
The importance of nature in learning:
Forest schools are a relatively new concept in the UK. They provide an outdoor learning environment where children learn problem solving skills and explore the natural environment. Spending time within nature can actually reduce anxiety in young children (Cudworth and Lumber, 2021).
The new curriculum in Wales and its Four Core Purposes align themselves particularly well to the concept of Forest School Philosophy; particularly the concept of creating ethically informed citizens of the future and the next generation of custodians of our environment.
Mental health, nature and me
I am very lucky that my job allows me to get outdoors and spend time in natural environments. I have been privileged to carry out my work in a variety of different habitats and catch glimpses of the wonderful wildlife we have in Wales.
Outside my job, I like to go for long walks in the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia which really helps clear my mind, relax, whilst improving my fitness all at the same time!
One of my favourite walks in the Brecon Beacons starts at Llanthony Priory in the Vale of Ewyas, heading up Hatterall Hill from the Abbey and reaching the ridge at the top. Part of this forms Offas Dyke. Once you walk along the ridge and head down the valley, you reach Capel Y Ffin, and then take a quiet country road back to Llanthony Priory.
Wild camping after a long walk is a perfect way to calm my mind; being in the middle of nowhere, alone, helps to focus my mind on the present moment and everything around me. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I set up my tent at the end of a long days walk.
At home, I am lucky to live in the country, and walk just outside my front door to de-stress. No matter what time of year it is I can experience the beauty of nature first-hand during every season. In winter, I appreciate the early morning frosts, and in spring I like to see the flowers come out. It’s a great opportunity to improve my plant ID skills too. Being outside and spending time in nature encourages me to take time away from technological devices including my phone, TV, and computer, and allows me to live in the present moment and recharge from the stresses of everyday life.
References
Bratman, G.N., Anderson, C.B., Berman, M.G., Cochran, B., De Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J.J., Hartig, T. and Kahn Jr, P.H., 2019. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science advances, 5(7), p.eaax0903.
Berman, M.G., Jonides, J. and Kaplan, S., 2008. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological science, 19(12), pp.1207-1212.
Cudworth, D. and Lumber, R., 2021. The importance of Forest School and the pathways to nature connection. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 24(1), pp.71-85.
Wildlifetrusts.org. 2022. Wildlife gardening | The Wildlife Trusts. Available at: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/gardening
Madeleine Anderson, Assistant Ecologist
Our planet would not be able to support life if we did not have plants. Plants define different habitats that can support fauna species which contributes to biodiversity. The more numerous plant species there are within an area, the higher habitat diversity is present, which will therefore have a higher biodiversity value, leading in turn to a heathier and more stable ecosystem. Due to the increased pressures from industry, agriculture and development, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. The current levels of wildlife abundance is still declining, which would cause a disastrous effect on our country’s ability to support healthy ecosystems. The introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) aims to increase the biodiversity value of new developments by a minimum of %10 net gain. If BNG is successful, then there is still a possibility that we can reverse the decline in the UK biodiversity.
How is biodiversity calculated?
The biodiversity value of a site is calculated by identifying and assessing the onsite habitats present prior to the development
being undertaken by using the extended Phase 1 habitat survey methodology. This survey involves an experienced ecologist identifying the various plant species and habitat types that are present onsite. The habitat is then classified by mapping the species assemblages identified onsite.
Conditions
The conditions of the habitats are also assessed, which is an important step when calculating the biodiversity value of the site as it can identify priority and protected habitats onsite, as well as identify which habitats can be enhanced to gain further biodiversity value. The information then influences the recommended mitigations measures that are required for the project to be undertaken.
Phase 1 Survey
Phase I survey is carried out as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) which uses the data taken from the site survey as well as species records and designated site data from the surrounding area to identify what ecological constraints could be present onsite. This information is then used to provide recommendations as to what further surveys and mitigation should be carried out for the development to proceed without triggering legislation.
Why is plant identification so important?
Plant identification is the fundamental aspect when classifying and assessing the conditions of habitats onsite. Plants provide an indication of the soil type, the nitrogen content, soil moisture and salt content, climate, light exposure, and temperatures. Habitats can be identified through indicator species, which are specific species that only grow in certain soil types and conditions. The habitat condition can also be assessed by recording the number and abundance of plant species within a certain habitat.
What is the optimal time to survey habitats?
A Phase I can be undertaken throughout the year, however, the optimum period for the survey is between April to September. This is because there are more identifiable features on a flowering plant and in some cases, you can only identify plants to species level if the flower is present. If the survey is undertaken within the suboptimal period, or certain types of habitats are present, that require a more detailed survey, a botanical survey may be required depending on what habitats are being affected by the proposed development.
Habitat identification and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Natural England developed the biodiversity metric to help calculate the BNG score of a development which has brought up a lot of debate on how effective the metric is. One of the most fundamental points is that for the calculation to work, the baseline habitat assessment needs to be accurate. An accurate evaluation of the habitat condition also identifies which habitats can be enhanced onsite as well what habits can be created to increase the biodiversity value of the development.
UK Habitat Classification System
The way that Natural England has addressed this need is by using the UK Habitat Classification System (UKHab). The UKHab classification system[1] was published in 2018 after extensive trialling by volunteers.
UKHab acts as a middle ground between the quicker Phase 1 habitat assessment and the more comprehensive and slower National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey.
UKHab can classify habitats quicker than the NVC but with more information than the Phase 1 survey. UKHab also attempts to create a less subjective approach to habitat classification using a system similar to an identification key to help guide an ecologist to the correct habitat. Therefore, UKHab can be an accurate way of classifying the onsite habitat condition and type.
Prior to it being used for the metric only a small number of consultants used UKHab it as its main classification system.
However, with this new introduction it is now vital for ecologists to learn and develop their skills with using the new system. Fortunately, BNG will be mandatory in the autumn of 2023, this means that there is now an opportunity for ecologists to get to grips with using UKHab.
This period of grace is also a fantastic opportunity to develop a good understanding of plant identification, especially as we are entering into spring and summer when it is easier to do so.
What can be done to increase the biodiversity in a development?
– Involving and consulting an ecologist in the earliest stages of a new development means that they can recommend what habitats can be created and enhanced, to increase the biodiversity of a site post-development.
– Plan to have a wide variety of habitats comprised of native species of local provenance and grown in the UK, which will support our native populations of insects and mammals. This also reduces the chance of introducing plant diseases and pests from abroad.
– Designing green infrastructure as part of a development have shown to not only increase environmental benefits but has also shown benefits for social and economic benefits.
– Create wildlife-friendly gardens to support local wildlife all year round.
Laoise Wilder, Assistant Ecologist
Joining the B Corp community, and achieving certification in 2019, has probably been Wildwood’s most transformative decision to date. It’s provided clarity about the kind of business we want to be and how we want to conduct ourselves. It’s enabled us to establish a distinct identity, set out a vision and values, and, ultimately, distinguish what makes Wildwood different from the rest. But it’s one thing to adopt the B Corp code ‘using business as a force for good’, it’s another thing altogether to put it into practice.
Our Story
Wildwood Ecology is proud to have been conceived and born in Wales. Our founding director, Richard Crompton, was influenced by Oliver Rackham‘s conception of the “Wildwood” in the ‘History of the Countryside‘, which provides a fascinating account of the sometimes subtle and sometimes radical ways in which people, fauna, flora, climate, soils and other physical conditions have played their part in the shaping of the countryside. I personally have taken great inspiration from a book by the writer, broadcaster, and film-maker Roger Deakin, who died in 2006, after completing the manuscript for a book entitled ‘Wildwood – a journey through trees’. Published a year after his passing, Deakin’s tale describes sleeping under the stars in the open attic, or in an abandoned wooden railway carriage in the orchard, “listening to the cool oboe notes of owls and their shrewicides in the meadow and along the lane”. Wonderful words and a wonderful book. I believe that in those few lines carries an enormous sentiment of what the natural environment meant to both the author and to us all if we care to stand and stare.
“listening to the cool oboe of owls and their shrewicides in the meadow and along the lane”
Why ecology?
My career choice was a simple one: I am an ecologist because I love the natural environment. It gives me all I need; clean air, fresh water and wholesome food, spectacular natural landscapes and wildlife, seasonality, resources and opportunities to make my life comfortable and enjoyable.
After working for public and not-for-profit organisations since graduating from Cardiff University, I joined Richard Crompton as Co-Director of Wildwood Ecology in 2010. Working together to grow the company, focusing on both ecological consultancy and training, we parted company in 2016. Richard Crompton is now an established ecological projects advisor and trainer, where he assists ecologists and commercial clients with complex ecological projects, especially those involving bats and other protected species.
Vision and Values
It is easy for business owners to relate to the idea that their journey ultimately shapes the vision and values of their company. It would be incongruous to hold strong personal principles and yet contradict these in a working environment. It might be possible to do so for a short period of time, and it might even be possible to convince some employees and clients, but typically, this road inevitably leads to frustration, compromise, inconsistency, and often failure.
Wildwood Ecology understands its responsibility to both the environment and society, which may go beyond any legal or regulatory requirements by which a company must abide. My colleagues and I, Deakin and many others, believe that the protection and enjoyment of the natural environment is vital to the continued existence of us all. Our actions and advice in developing the built environment as ecological consultants must seek to halt and restore biodiversity loss, address our own impacts on human induced climate change and help create a better planet for the benefit of future generations.
Since Wildwood Ecology’s conception we have been on an evolving transformative journey. Of course, we have made many mistakes along the way, and will likely make many more, but we strive to learn. We want to be a better business tomorrow than we are today. Easy to say, harder to deliver. However, this is a marathon and not a sprint. We do not adopt cheap labels such as “the number one ecological experts” but we do have a strong vision and values that bind us, and, I believe, make us a better business.
We will not knowingly work on political vanity projects or any development where the natural environment is either side-lined or ignored.
A Force for Good
We use our vision and values as our rulebook. They remind us to recruit and reward our hard-working and principled ecologists, to deliver an outstanding level of service to our valued clients, and how we choose our suppliers. This approach enabled our discovery of sustainable and ethical business practice, and we began to notice a recurring pattern.
Many of the companies we sought to emulate were associated with the B Corp movement. Having never heard ‘B Corp’ before, this was a completely new and intriguing entity.
In late 2018, I attended the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in London, where I met ecological design company, Green&Blue, who were showcasing their beautiful bee bricks, bird, and bat boxes. What was most impressive was their passion, not only for creating a sustainable product, but a sustainable business. They share our commitment to the natural environment and believe that every new home built also needs to provide a home for wildlife. They had recently been certified as a B Corp, and as that discussion progressed, it re-enforced my own attitude that all businesses can, and should be, a force for good.
The B Corporation vision
On my return from the show, I began to research the B Corp movement in greater depth and began to see a real alignment with my own small ecological consultancy.
Skip forward a few months, and in July 2019 we became a proud member of the B Corp community. It puts us at the heart of a global network of more than 4,600 companies that are committed to acting in a sustainable and transparent way, whilst meeting the highest environmental and social standards.
To become a certified B Corp, businesses are required to complete a survey, Business Impact Assessment (BIA). It’s not just any survey, it’s one of the most comprehensive and challenging tools out there for assessing the real social and environmental impact of a business.
The BIA is operated by the independent non-profit B Lab. It allows businesses to measure the impact their business is having on the Environment, their Workers, Customers, and the Community, as well as looking at their Governance structure. Businesses must meet a minimum of 80 points out of 200 to certify, as well as make a legal change to their business to place impact on people and planet on the same level as profit.
On first certification we scored a mere 80.6 points, scraping in by the ‘skin of our teeth’, so we know we have a lot to do to make any real impact. You can compare our result with the likes of other great companies, including many instantly recognisable companies such as Patagonia, The Body Shop, Cook and Tridos Bank, and some industry specific companies including Kennedy Woods Architecture and Stride Treglown.
Since July 2019, we have made significant changes to the way we conduct our business. Here are a few things we have done:
- Shifted our business account to The Co-operative Bank
- Become a signatory as a Living Wage Employer
- At the end of 2019 we committed at COP25 to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030
- Chosen Fairphone as our dedicated mobile phone for employees and switched to Honest Mobile as our network provider
- Integrated social and environmental performance into decision-making, including performance reviews that formally incorporate social and environmental issues
- We offer a salary sacrifice scheme supporting employees to switch to an electric vehicle
- We monitor and seek to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol calculation tool for Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions
This is a small list of the things we have changed and we recognise we still have a long way to go. There is a plan and strategy in place to get us there that will require real action; action that impacts the way we do business. B Corps are required to undergo the verification process every three years to recertify, ensuring standards continue to be met and promoting long-term resiliency. As such, we will go through our very first recertification programme in July 2022. I’m really looking forward to having these improvements validated and finding out what our new impact score will be.
Play your part
Why should you seek out purpose-led companies?
Every time you buy a product or service from a B Corp, you’re taking a small step towards a more sustainable world, and casting a vote for a new way of doing good business.
As a B Corp, we have changed the way we conduct our normal business activities that benefits all our stakeholders and not just our shareholder. We have chosen to monitor, review and, where necessary, change the way we operate and conduct the way we interact with our clients, customers, suppliers, employees, and our communities. It goes beyond giving money to a charitable cause, volunteering, or offsetting our carbon emissions.
We actively seek change in everything we do and live by our vision and values. Sometimes we may not get it right, but you can rest assured that we will never cease trying to do so and learn from our mistakes.
Also, perhaps consider that people want to work for companies and organisations that stand for something beyond just making money. Time and again, we see brilliant individuals wanting to join our team, and stay with us, because they believe in our vision and share our values. A business can make a positive change if they listen to and support the growth and development of their most important asset – their employees!
We’ve got a busy year ahead and we’ll face lots more challenges. But by collaborating with others, spreading the word about B Corp and focusing on our vision, we can prove that business truly can be a force for good. And that as we grow (and we are growing both our consultancy and training division, The Ecology Academy), we can play an even bigger role in sustainably building an environment that considers biodiversity loss, as much as the climate crisis we all face.
Richard Dodd, Managing Director