Building Biodiversity Greenbelt has put Building On-site Biodiversity under the spotlight for a range of professionals in the volume housebuilder and multi-disciplinary environmental sectors. Hosted by Greenbelt, the UK’s leading land management company, in conjunction with Building with Nature (BwN) and the Woodmeadow Trust, the Building On-site Biodiversity into New Housing Developments event was held at the Woodmeadow Trust’s Three Hagges Woodmeadow in Escrick, York.Among those attending were directors, ecologists, landscape architects and biodiversity specialists from Redrow Homes, The Environmental Partnership, Bellway Homes, Pegasus and more.Dr Gemma Jerome, director of BwN, spoke passionately about her organisation’s framework of standards for good green infrastructure; a 12-point checklist of interlocking quality standards for placemaking that combine to “define what ‘good’ looks like” on a range of criteria arranged across the categories of Water, Wildlife and Wellbeing.Dan Carne, Network Director of the Woodmeadow Trust, discussed the charity’s exemplary design and management principles, including the use of their flagship woodmeadow component: “a mosaic of species-rich habitats, more biodiverse than either woodland or meadows alone”. Greenbelt Regional Development Director Robin Waddell delivered a talk on long-term stewardship approaches, and sustainable funding mechanisms for meeting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) targets to ensure on-site biodiversity increases measurably year-on-year during both the construction and establishment phases.In closing, Greenbelt Regional Development Manager Adam Ralph led a lively roundtable discussion and Q&A session, allowing attendees more time to explore individual areas of focus and enjoy stimulating ideas and discussions about design, implementation and long-term management approaches. “We should maximise the opportunities to provide structurally diverse, nature-rich and climate-resilient open space that is appropriate to the local character, enables engagement and pride of place, and functions as a valuable urban habitat for wildlife,” Adam said.“We also need to make sure management companies have secure funding, adopt a long-term stewardship approach, regularly monitor the landscape quality and ecological value, and have the knowledge and expertise to make appropriate management and maintenance interventions when required.“There is still lots to be done, but this event shows knowledge-sharing and collaboration across disciplines and organisations is the way to go. I’m sure the conversation would have run well into the night, if we all had the time!” Members of Greenbelt’s Biodiversity & Sustainability and Development teams were certified as Building with Nature assessors earlier this year, following an intensive training course and further research studies into the benefits of incorporating nature into the built-up environment. You can read more about this achievement and Greenbelt’s work in biodiversity here. Previous article: Met Office Issues Extreme Heat Warnings Prev Next article: Summer Gardening Tips Next