VisitEngland

2.6. Bigging up biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, fungi, micro-organisms like bacteria, and of course, humans. So we are all part of it.

Key Takeaways 2.5

In a nutshell

  • Biodiversity projects are a way to improve your business.

  • Consider what you can do to improve your physical environment.

  • Don’t forget the benefits to staff and visitors, and the potential for motivating marketing messages.

Biodiversity in decline

There are currently two million species known to man. Maintaining biodiversity is vital to our survival. 

For example, insects pollinate our plants and flowers, enabling them to reproduce and grow.  But in the last 50 years, the UK has lost almost half of its natural biodiversity, including a third of its honeybees.

And that’s not all.

  • A 2022 report stated that the UK’s butterfly numbers had decreased by 80% since the 1970s. (The State of the UK’s Butterflies, Butterfly Conservation report, 2023)
  • Over the same time period, Britain has lost 73 million wild birds. (RSPB, State of Nature report, 2023)
  • Domestic livestock and pets now account for nearly two thirds of all mammals on earth. (Bar-On et al, 2018)

This all has a huge impact on food production, resources and environmental quality.

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Regenerative Tourism Handbook graphics

Benefits of biodiversity

There is an innate human connection to nature and the natural world, as well as the critical importance of preserving our important ecosystems. This has been shown to have a significant positive impact on our health and well-being.

By installing natural elements in your premises you can improve the overall environment and experience for your team and guests. 

Although it may seem that biodiversity is primarily related to the countryside, this is not the case. It also includes our cities. With this in mind, more urban business owners are implementing initiatives such as roof gardens and beehives.

Among the specific benefits for all are stress reduction, making people happier and calmer, improved concentration and creativity, air quality improvement, and noise absorption.

Improve your biodiversity

There are numerous ways in which you can improve your biodiversity, depending on your physical setting and the opportunities or constraints that come with it.

This could be grand project, sweeping in scope, such as:

  • Reforestation, the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted.  
  • Rewilding, restoring an area of land to its natural state, either through the reintroduction of species that have been driven out or exterminated, or by returning the land to natural, usually non-agricultural use.

Or a more modest effort, such as:

  • Building a pond or allowing an area to flood.
  • Leaving some areas unmown (or mow less often) to allow refuge for wildlife.
  • Putting up bat or bird boxes.
  • Providing safe havens for insects (‘bug hotels’).
  • Create a wildflower meadow by setting aside an area in which wildflowers can grow.
  • Restoring or maintaining hedgerows to provide habitats for small birds.
  • Introducing beehives to boost pollination.
  • Planting trees and shrubs.
  • Leaving dead wood where it falls.
  • Converting and restoring paved areas into natural ground to reduce runoff and restore areas more conducive to wildlife.

Biodiversity projects have the potential to provide a mix of environmental and societal impact, engage employees and customers, and be an integral part of your regenerative tourism commitments.