Biodiversity Net Gain for Assessors

This course will involve a combination of field work and class-room sessions allowing participants to engage with a real-life case study while gaining hands-on experience in completing the Statutory Metric. This course covers the Statutory Metric used for major developments and although many aspects overlap it will not cover the Small Sites Statutory Metric.

This 3-day course gives participants a practical understanding of the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) baseline assessment and its practical applications.  The course features a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork, allowing you to map habitats and conduct habitat and condition assessments. Collaboratively, you will work through a real-life case study, where you will fill in the Statutory Metric Baseline and Post-Development tabs, solidifying your understanding and practical skills in applying these concepts effectively in professional contexts.

By the end of the course, you will have gained valuable insights, practical skills, and the confidence to implement BNG assessments in your work. Whether you are an ecologist, environmental consultant, or involved in land management, this course will enrich your professional toolkit and enhance your ability to contribute to sustainable development and biodiversity enhancement.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Conduct a baseline condition assessment of selected habitats.
• Complete a baseline Statutory Metric and post-development tabs based on case study scenario.
• Discuss and devise strategies for achieving meaningful biodiversity enhancements in example development plans.

Who Should Attend? – This course is suited for early career professionals in ecology, environmental consultancy, and land management seeking to advance their expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain practices.

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors.

Prior Knowledge – Participants should have a foundational understanding of BNG concepts. It is recommended that individuals have previously attended a UKHab course or possess practical experience in habitat assessment methodologies as these will not be covered in the course.

Accommodation and meal options

For some course runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:

• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)

If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this only includes course tuition and refreshments (tea and coffee). Please bring your own packed lunch.

If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for three nights (starting the night before the course) and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the night before the course). You can check-in from 4pm on the day before the course and the evening meal will be 6:30pm.

If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.

PLEASE NOTE: Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be available. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Julie Riley

Julie Riley MCIEEM is a Consultant Ecologist with extensive experience of working in the environmental sector, specialising in botany and habitat identification. A certified UKHab trainer, she has been working with UKHab and Biodiversity Net Gain since early 2020. Her experience includes submitting ecology and BNG reports for planning consideration, modelling potential BNG outcomes for compensation sites, and reviewing BNG reports on behalf of a local authority.

Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly.

This course will involve both classroom learning and field excursions to cover all of the learning objectives.

Lunch is not included unless you have booked accommodation, so please bring your own food. Refreshments (tea and coffee) will be provided for all.

Timetable

Please be aware that this timetable may be subject to change.

Day 1: BNG Fundamentals and Habitat Survey
Morning: Classroom session- Introduction to BNG basics, condition assessments, and metrics.
Break
Afternoon: Field session - Habitat mapping and condition assessments on-site.
Homework: Research strategic habitat significance.

Day 2: Watercourse Awareness and Metric Workshop
Morning: Field session - Watercourse geomorphology principles/condition assessment discussion.
Break
Afternoon: Classroom workshop - Overview of the Biodiversity Metric and trading rules.
Homework: Begin filling in the Statutory Metric from the day's findings.

Day 3: Practical Metric Application and Impact Discussion
Morning: Workshop - Working in teams to complete a baseline metric with tutor support.
Break
Afternoon: Workshop - Working in teams to complete the post-development tabs and evaluating the example landscaping plans for achieving BNG targets.

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Lunch and refreshments
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• Your own laptop (with a blank statutory metric downloaded prior to attendance, preferably macro-enabled, and a copy of the condition assessment spreadsheet- see link in recommended literature)

Recommended Literature

Familiarity with the UKHab guidance documents and the Statutory Metric User Guide is advisable.

• You can register for the UKHab V2 documents here.
• All of the Statutory Metric guidance and tools are downloadable from the government website.