The UK Terrestrial Evidence Partnership of Partnerships (UKTEPoP) is a collaborative initiative to strengthen and unify the efforts of organisations dedicated to collecting evidence on biodiversity with volunteer citizen scientists, across the UK.
UKTEPoP partners have published a joint statement – Nature for all: diversity makes us stronger – that pledges their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in species monitoring schemes in the UK.
Nature for all: diversity makes us stronger
The UKTEPoP’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in species monitoring schemes
We are experiencing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity in human history. Climate breakdown, unsustainable use of land and sea, and pollution are resulting in the collapse of the natural world and the benefits it brings. The loss of these essential natural services like pollination, provision of clean water and carbon capture is threatening the foundations of human economy, culture and society.
The science on the state of nature and its implications for people is clear. To protect nature for current and future generations we need to know what is happening to biodiversity. This knowledge informs our understanding of what works in nature conservation and recovery.
We all have a role to play and it is sobering that the environment sector does not currently reflect the diversity of UK society. This sector is one of the least diverse in the UK, particularly when it comes to racial diversity (Race Report 2025). It is critical that we address this, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because we are not yet reaching our full societal potential to help nature recover.
Our national biodiversity monitoring schemes provide crucial data on the status of nature in the UK. Much of the data are gathered by thousands of passionate and dedicated volunteers. These volunteers benefit from enjoyment of nature and their community, as well as developing skills whilst improving their health and wellbeing. We’re proud of how these schemes work together as part of our UK Terrestrial Evidence Partnership of Partnerships (UKTEPoP).
To protect nature for all current and future generations, we are determined to ensure a diverse, equitable and inclusive approach to conserving and recovering nature. We will develop our inclusive behaviours and organisational cultures to attract, retain and engage with new volunteers, to collect high quality biological data from under-recorded areas.
Everyone should have the opportunity to be involved in co-creating a better understanding of how nature is changing across the whole of the UK – an understanding we all depend on.
Our shared objectives are set out in the UKTEPoP diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.
We, the under-signed, commit to developing inclusive behaviours within our organisations. This will create the foundation to engage new and under-served communities in monitoring biodiversity, enabling us to understand better and tackle the barriers to participation.
Kit Stoner, Chief Executive,
Bat Conservation Trust
Julia Hanmer, Chief Executive,
Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
Juliet Vickery, Chief Executive,
British Trust for Ornithology
Julie Williams, Chief Executive,
Butterfly Conservation
Gemma Harper, Chief Executive,
JNCC
Marian Spain, Chief Executive,
Natural England
Ceri Davies, Acting Chief Executive Officer,
Natural Resources Wales
Nick Halfhide, Interim Chief Executive,
NatureScot
Nicola Hutchinson, Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Conservation, Plantlife
Beccy Speight, Chief Executive,
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Stuart Wainwright, Chief Executive,
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
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