Microhabitats: delivering biodiversity anywhere
This session will demonstrate how habitats can—and should—be created in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, using diverse materials, including those often-considered waste in construction projects.
Background
Supporting a wide range of species—both within conservation initiatives and alongside construction projects—requires the creation of diverse habitats. This often involves varied topography and a mix of substrates.
While the construction industry is increasingly working to support and restore nature, many projects still rely primarily on topsoil, limited variation in landform, or tree planting to deliver biodiversity enhancements. Although these approaches are valuable, they do not always provide the habitat diversity needed to support a broader range of species.
Similarly, while woodland creation offers significant benefits for both people and nature, not all sites have the space to accommodate it.
Creating diverse habitats is key to enabling species to thrive and adapt to climate change. This session will demonstrate practical ways to achieve this, regardless of the size of land that is being worked on. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of BNG in accounting for these approaches will also be provided.
Why attend
- Understand the importance of creating habitats with varied topography and substrates—and how to achieve this in practice
- Learn how ‘construction waste’ can be repurposed to create valuable habitats, while still meeting amenity expectations
- Earn valuable CPD.
Who should attend
- Land agents and purchasers
- Developers
- Local planning authorities
- Environmental regulators
- Ecologists
- Consultants
- Gardeners
When
Thursday 2 July 2026
10:30 - 12:00
Programme
10:30 Welcome and introduction
Adrien Baudrimont, Senior Research Manager, CIRIA
10:40 Shaping spaces for wildlife and people
Ian Boyd, Director, Arc Biodiversity & Climate
10:55 Transforming brownfield land into biodiverse areas
Duncan Kramer, Director & Designer, Green Roof Shelters
11:10 The role of the BNG framework
Faye Durkin, Head of Nature, Greengage Environmental
11:25 Interactive discussion and Q&A
11:55 Closing remarks
Adrien Baudrimont, Senior Research Manager, CIRIA
Fees
| CIRIA members and Biodiversity Community of Practice members |
Free to attend |
| Non-members |
Free to attend |
Booking
If you are experiencing issues registering online, please complete and return the booking form to Charlotte Draper.
Alternatively please contact us on 07933 181 765 or email our Customer Services team.
Joining instructions will be sent two weeks before the event or one working day prior if the booking is made within this timeframe. The link to attend the webinar is strictly personal and should not be shared.
Terms and Conditions
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Further information
For further information on CIRIA membership and other services, please contact:
Telephone: 07933 181 765
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ciria.org