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Building better evidence for nature

Image courtesy of Nick Burton

Building Better Evidence for Nature marks an affiliation of organisations aiming to strengthen our collective environmental monitoring efforts across the UK. The group represents eNGOs, agencies, government bodies, scientists, and other landowners and land managers all seeking to benefit from a shared monitoring community and maximise the value of their monitoring.

The UK has a strong history in environmental monitoring with many excellent national and regional initiatives. By actively working towards consistent and complementary approaches and data pipelines, our local monitoring will lead to more efficiencies, and stronger evidence base to inform nature’s recovery.

Over a series of workshops, key stakeholders drafted the following accord. By signing this we agree to a set of shared ambitions and ways of working that seek to address challenges and strengthen the evidence base for nature recovery. The accord is a first step – as a group we would like to identify further opportunities where our collective effort can help reduce barriers. The aim is not to duplicate other efforts, but to collectively draw in the numerous initiatives and activity in this space. For all the progress we make, as individual organisations or partnerships, we hope to carry others with us.

The group looks forward to sharing more as the accord group develops, and welcome any interest or engagement with the wider monitoring community. On behalf of all the signatories here, please join us! If your organisation would also be willing to become a signatory to the accord, or if you would like more information, please contact Ben.McCarthy@nationaltrust.org.uk or Emma.Wright@jncc.gov.uk.

Contents

  1. Building a UK common evidence base for nature’s recovery
    1. Introduction
    2. Ambition & commitment

Building a UK common evidence base for nature’s recovery

Introduction

We recognise the collaborative contribution we can make to build a common evidence base in support of nature’s recovery aligned to the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Framework. We seek to maintain consistency between our individual and partnership environmental monitoring efforts, and in doing so will be working together to build:

  • more comprehensive evidence to inform conservation actions and track progress towards biodiversity targets;
  • efficiencies in survey effort, tools, processes, support, analysis and investment; and
  • engagement of wider organisations, sectors and communities in the study, appreciation and action for the recovery of nature. 

Ambition & commitment

We intend to:

  • Apply the UK Environmental Observation Framework (UKEOF) unifying principles for environmental monitoring to our monitoring.
  • Promote standardised methods and protocols for data collection & analysis, including field data, sensor and DNA protocols, making them openly accessible as far as possible.
  • Adhere to Q-FAIR data principles – making our data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable and of the right Quality that is fit for purpose.
  • Share data and analytical pipelines and research, including complementarity and efficiencies in validation and verification, ensuring analyses are robust, standardised and transparent, and using data pipelines that simplify data use and storage.
  • Seek opportunities for collaboration, from place based partnerships to the sharing of resources, such as training materials, to upskill recorders and encourage greater public participation.
  • Engage and encourage wider uptake of the accord, to champion an inclusive environmental monitoring and recording community.

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Endorsed by the following organisations, in Winter 2025.

  • Association of Local Environmental Records Centres National Coordinator
  • Bat Conservation Trust
  • Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland
  • British Trust for Ornithology
  • Broads Authority
  • Butterfly Conservation
  • Chilterns National Landscape
  • Dartmoor National Park
  • Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  • Lake District National Park
  • National Biodiversity Network Trust
  • National Landscapes Association
  • National Parks England
  • National Trails UK
  • National Trust
  • Natural England
  • Natural History Museum
  • Natural Resources Wales
  • NatureScot
  • New Forest National Park
  • Northumberland National Park
  • North York Moors National Park
  • Peak District National Park
  • Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
  • Plantlife
  • The Rivers Trust
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
  • South Downs National Park Authority
  • UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
  • The Wildlife Trusts
  • Woodland Trust
  • Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Published: .

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