Using UKHab for Biodiversity Net Gain

Summary

This course will introduce environmental practitioners to the interface between Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric 4.0 and UKHab. The course focusses upon the design of baseline habitat surveys and condition assessment for BNG and discusses feasibility and design of projects that have made a commitment to biodiversity net gain. The course will be taught in 2 online sessions with plenty of time allowed for discussion.

UKHab is the emerging standard for habitat survey across the country and underpins Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric, understanding UKHab and how BNG work together will be essential for all ecologists working on development planning projects.

Description

Aimed at consultant and local authority ecologists with experience of habitat survey, this course will introduce environmental practitioners to the interface between Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric 3.1 and UKHab. The course makes specific reference to UK Good Practice Guidance, including CIEEM-CIRIA-IEMA Good Practice Principles for BNG, British Standard BS8683:2021 and the CIEEM BNG Report Templates.
The course focuses on the application of BNG in relation to development and land use planning in terrestrial habitats. Practical experience of UKHab surveys and the use of NE’s BNG Metric is not strictly required, but would be beneficial.
The course focusses upon the design of baseline habitat surveys for BNG and discusses feasibility and design of projects that have made a commitment to biodiversity net gain.
There is a short homework exercise introduced at the end of the first session which is discussed on Day 2.

Who Should Attend?

Developers, industrial operators and land managers, local authority ecologists and planners, conservation officers and licensing staff within SNCOs or NGOs, students, graduates, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, rangers.

Knowledge Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Learning Outcomes

• Gain knowledge of the structure of UKHab and it's resources.
• Confidently identify and map UKHab using digital data and in the field.
• Understand the importance of the survey planning and design.
• Understand approaches to defining habitat condition and how this relates to habitat classification.
• Interpret UKHab data and how it relates to DEFRA Metric 2.0.
• Understand limitations and constraints of BNG and how to report them.
• Understand how to prepare a UKHab and BNG Report for planning applications.
• Explore the use of UKHab for monitoring delivery of BNG.

Tickets