Funded by the DfE, Climate Ambassadors match volunteer climate experts with education settings.
Part of Let’s Go Zero, Climate Action Advisors are independent experts who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England.
Biodiversity training for estates and site staff
This guidance is intended to help you choose training that’s right for you. We can not recommend particular courses or resource providers.
Why biodiversity training
Biodiversity training for estates and site staff is critical for developing their ability to improve sustainability through site maintenance and changes.
Training needs to focus on practical skills and best practice on conservation and preservation, whilst ensuring compliance with relevant policies.
How to choose training
When choosing a course providing biodiversity training, it should ideally cover some of these criteria.
An introduction to biodiversity
It’s best not to assume the level of knowledge and awareness a staff member or team might have. Everyone should receive some general awareness training either as a refresher or to improve their understanding.
This should enable you to learn what biodiversity is, its importance, and how it applies to the educational environment.
Sustainable outdoor spaces
This should enable staff to use sustainable landscaping techniques that encourage biodiversity. This might include techniques such as:
- wildlife corridors - areas that connect natural habitats that have been disconnected by manmade structures
- reducing lawn areas to make your space more diverse
- rain gardens - hollows filled with plants to help landscapes cope with heavy rainfall
Estate management
This should enable staff to:
- understand how embedding biodiversity objectives in estate management and broader strategies can enhance sustainability
- learn how climate change affects biodiversity and how site management practices can help reduce the effects of climate change
- understand how to ensure site management practices support the settings wider sustainability goals and meet relevant certifications
Policy
This should make staff aware of relevant biodiversity related policies and how to align them with the compliance elements required for estate management.
Collaborating with experts
This should enable staff to find opportunities to collaborate with local biodiversity experts including ecologists, conservationists, or local environmental organisations.
Monitoring and assessments
This should enable staff to:
- conduct biodiversity assessments or audits on educational grounds
- create systems for ongoing biodiversity monitoring and reporting, enabling continuous improvement based on new findings
Further training
For intermediate or advanced levels, look for training on how to:
- implement green infrastructure projects
- reduce the use and impact of chemicals harmful to biodiversity
- run biodiversity awareness campaigns that raise appreciation for the environment across the setting
- incorporate fieldwork and hands-on learning regarding biodiversity, such as conducting wildlife surveys, habitat mapping and running Forest School initiatives
- integrate biodiversity concepts into subjects that naturally cover these topics, such as science, geography or outdoor learning programmes