On February 12th 2024 it became a legal obligation for all developments in England to demonstrate a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
Biodiversity Net Gain - A Guide
Everything you need to know about biodiversity net gain
Planning policy encourages developers and land managers to leave the biodiversity of the site in a better state than it was before. Historically, this has been assessed using solely professional judgement. Ecology by Design can help you demonstrate biodiversity net gain clearly, transparently and quantitatively using a biodiversity metric.
Interns join us for 2021
During April three interns joined us from the MSc in Species Identification and Survey Skills course at the University of Reading. Our blog will be turned over to the three of them for a monthly post talking about their experiences and the skills they gain working with us.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Guide
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) comprises a rapid assessment to identify features of ecological interest on site or within the vicinity of the site in order to understand the impacts arising from a proposed project.
Student Placement - June
Megan is completing an internship as part of my MSc in Species Identification and Survey Skills at Reading University. June has been her busiest month yet with lots of bat surveys and reptile work.
What is an Ecological Survey?
As experts and providers of ecological surveys, Ecology by Design is happy to provide an ultimate guide to what an ecology survey is, that encompasses everything you may need to know about conducting an ecology survey, including the reasons behind them, the features and stages involved, and the end results.
Roman snails are amongst us
Roman snails were introduced to England during the roman period and are now a protected species. Europes largest land snail can be surveyed for by professional ecologists such as Ecology by Design.
What is a Reptile Survey? Ecology Survey Guidelines
For any individual who is working on a new development, they will likely need to consider any environmental impact. Reptiles in the UK are protected and may require consideration.
What is Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 79 (formerly Paragraph 55) is part of the National Planning Policy Framework updated in February 2019. This paragraph refers to the circumstances in which planning applications to build new, isolated homes in the countryside can be considered.
Ecology Survey Guidelines- Great Crested Newt Survey
For anyone working on new development, developers in England will need to be aware of the potential environmental impact it could have on native protected species such as The Great Crested Newt.
July - Snakes, lizards and all things reptilian
Beth has spent a great deal of time working with reptiles this month, this year we have had projects with all six species of reptile occurring in the UK.
May - Adder handling, GCN training and lots of Bats!
Beth our MSc student continues her internship with adder handling, newt training and lots of bat work.
Welcome to our new starters
Getting to grips with grapnels
Ecologist Lindsay Stronge recently attended a Species Recovery Trust training course on identifying aquatic plants.
Advice, a Violet Beetle and a Lady in Blue
Hi, my name is Joseph and I’m a student studying MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading. I’m currently on my placement at Ecology by Design and have decided to write a blog to document my progress.
There’s an Owl in my Soffit
Hi, my name is Joseph and I’m a student studying MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading. I’m currently on my placement at Ecology by Design and have decided to write a blog to document my progress.
Have I Got Newts for You...
Hi, my name is Joseph and I’m a student studying MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills at the University of Reading. I’m currently on my placement at Ecology by Design and have decided to write a blog to document my progress.
Sedges have edges.....
Ecologist Lindsay Stronge recently attended a training course on sedge identification with the Species Recovery Trust.
We are full of good news
Good news comes in threes, new staff joining us, the opening of a new office and the achievement of Chartered Environmentalist accreditation.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) revolutionising ecology
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a new method for great crested newt monitoring in water bodies.