An exciting new era at UKCEH

Without forward-looking models, biodiversity policy risks missing the road to recovery. Our new PNAS article calls for predictive tools and a World Biodiversity Research Programme to guide global action. 👉 doi.org/10.1073/pnas... #Biodiversity #Conservation #PredictiveModels #PNAS

How do we measure life on Earth? 🌍🌱 The new summary report from the 2025 US-UK Forum on Measuring Biodiversity, hosted by the NAS and @royalsociety.org, explores tools, challenges, and solutions for tackling the #biodiversity crisis. Read here: bit.ly/460RB7R

The latest PoMS e-news went out yesterday, with updates on FIT Counts in 2025; news of a new UK butterfly; research on plants for pollinators; PoMS local projects; & some great forthcoming events. If you missed it you can read it at mailchi.mp/e73193cb8054... & subscribe at ukpoms.org.uk/subscribe

Non euro-centric maps. We can but hope ... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Attending the @britishecologicalsociety Annual Meeting? If so, consider also attending the 2nd National Environmental Monitoring Conference (same venue, different day) www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/nati...

A rare bit of good news: The remarkable rise of “greenhushing” www.economist.com/business/202...

Dont be a badger when wasps come visiting theconversation.com/what-to-do-w...

Last month I was privileged to attend a meeting of @nasonline.org about biodiversity monitoring. The proceedings are now online for all to view: www.nasonline.org/event/us-uk-...

Lynn Dicks, Cang Hui, Iwan Jones, Ben Woodcock, @drnickisaac.bsky.social, and @andypurvisnhm.bsky.social Re further data collation, for anyone that happens to be at EntSoc in Portland, look out for Eliza Grames' symposium on evidence synthesis.

Yesterday I spent a fantastic day hiking through the forests, meadows and swamps of southern Maryland. So much wildlife! I moved very slowly all day, inspired by @yutoriwalking.bsky.social

We should be talking about the environmental costs of AI being shoved into every aspect of our online lives www.teenvogue.com/story/chatgp...

Britain's universities were pushed - forced, really - to make themselves completely dependent on international students. Now they are about to have the rug finally pulled from under them. There is not a single word British central government could say that I would ever trust again.

Choose Science. Choose Europe. A new Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 call is now open. With a budget of €404.3 million, it will support around 1,650 researchers from Europe and beyond. Apply by 10 September → europa.eu/!fBTMgF

Sitting quietly with a glass of rum and an LP I've not heard for 20 years 👌 #friday

I am excited to announce that I am taking up the position of Head of Biodiversity Monitoring and Analysis here at @ukceh.bsky.social. I look forward to supporting this impressive group of scientists create the highest quality data and information products to address the biodiversity crisis.

Spring reminder, as people start to think about gardening: NEVER buy compost with peat it in (inexplicably still on sale). If it does not say "peat free" in big letters, do not buy it. Peat is incredibly valuable in peat bogs, for rare biodiversity and as a carbon store. Don't put it on your garden!

How do we increase nature literacy among society? Some thoughts from @waspwoman.bsky.social theconversation.com/heres-how-to...

I'm thrilled to share our new review paper with the world.

NEWS: Despite fears about insect declines, we know very little about 99% of species globally 🌍📉. Scientists are proposing a new approach to get a more complete picture of insect populations and analyse how they are responding to threats. Read more: www.ceh.ac.uk/press/some-i... 🧪 🧵 1/

@britishecologicalsociety.org currently has vacancies for Policy Committee and chair Macroecology SIG. Both were fantastic learning experiences that really helped my career - please consider applying! (There have other great opportunities too) www.britishecologicalsociety.org/topic/career...

Just came across this brilliant review of the plans for nature of 22 governments. Will be even better when it has been updated: now 50 NBSAPs have been updated @wwf.eu @wwf.org.uk wwf.panda.org/act/nbsap_tr...

The new FIT Count season is nearly here 🎉🎆👏 From 1st April onwards, when weather is good, enjoy spending 10 minutes counting the insects that visit flowers - wherever you can find flowers, and as often as you wish, to help monitor #pollinators. Full details on our website ukpoms.org.uk/fit-counts

Join us for the second CASCADE webinar on Friday 4th April! We will be joined by @slpbenbow.bsky.social (Fauna & Flora International) and Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood (@uniofstandrews.bsky.social) to discuss big questions in ocean governance 🌊 Register here 👉 forms.office.com/e/fxLXph2feK

“The net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, analysis has found, providing high-wage jobs across the country while cutting climate-heating emissions and increasing energy security.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Prophetic words from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social (written in December) substack.com/redirect/3e6...

So much excellent science on display, so many excellent conversations at this Nature Positive symposium at Univ Tokyo. Such an honour for me to be invited.

Did you miss #BES2024 and are you interested in #BiodiversityFutures? check the recording of this great session led by @drnickisaac.bsky.social, featuring talks by Damaris Zurell, Anita Lazurko, Andy Purvis, James Bullock, Greta Bocedi, Jennifer Border and myself. youtu.be/FkbS6Klzbdg?...

Surreal experience today: at a Turkish barber I realised the music was opera in BBC Radio 3. Unexpected.

JOB: Chief Scientist at NatureServe 🌏🧪 thinkingahead.com/wp-content/u...

The insanity of being a fire ecologist in the epicenter of a major fire event, bags packed and ready to evacuate, watching active fire from my window, while taking media requests and explaining to the public, for the 100,000th time how climate change is largely responsible for this

Here's the introduction to the 16 papers, each owing an intellectual debt to Georgina. We outline how they all move us closer to answering the central question: How should we bend the curve of biodiversity loss to build a just and sustainable future?https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0205

Still time to apply for this PhD position with me and @dzchilds.bsky.social - deadline tomorrow!

Looking for a #PhDposition? Passionate about #pollinators and #citizenscience? Come do a PhD at @ukceh.bsky.social on developing indicators for pollinating insects using data from UK PoMS. The project includes a placement at JNCC. To apply tinyurl.com/3ve5szrh @drnickisaac.bsky.social

The winter aconites are flowering already in Oxfordshire. A welcome reminder that cold grey winter will not last forever.

This is new (for me): - Christmas Eve: Invitation to review - Christmas Day: Reminder - Today (30th December): "We have decided to proceed without your input" My congratulations to the journal, if they have truly managed to recruit qualified reviewers on this timetable. 🤨

We've now got the green light to revamp this booklet and we're looking for volunteers to write/peer review sections. Express your interest here: forms.gle/ZYFLPaC3k2RF.... We want to feature diverse ECR writers from across the world. Women of colour are especially encouraged!

Protecting thinking time is a constant battle, one that I have been losing in recent weeks

Very clear article summarising the IPBES Nexus assessment by @carbonbrief.org www.carbonbrief.org/ipbes-nexus-...

The IPBES Nexus Report was published today. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Had an exciting week at #BES2024 in Liverpool. Among my highlights: workshop on #scenario development by @drnickisaac.bsky.social @alazurko.bsky.social and thematic session on #biodiversity futures. And of course crazy Xmas jumper day - thanks to my team who made sure I have a Xmas jumper with me 🎄

Thank you @drnickisaac.bsky.social and James Pearce-Higgins for organise such an inspiring session on Biodiversity Futures! We’ve got so much to do!

What a great session this was! Thank you @drnickisaac.bsky.social for making it happen and for the invite! A lots of interesting talks on biodiversity #futures and the the power of #scenarios and #models to reach nature positive. #BES2024 @britishecolsoc.bsky.social

Huge turnout for our workshop on "prediction is impossible" #BES2024

A bit surprised to find myself on stage #bes2024

The UK is rightfully proud of the breadth and depth of environmental monitoring that takes place. However, the sheer number of organisations and data collection streams can be quite bewildering. Devolution makes this even more complicated.

With the @britishecolsoc.bsky.social and @ukeof.bsky.social, we’re hosting researchers and users of environmental monitoring data from across the UK at today's National Environment Monitoring Conference, exploring ways to develop a more cohesive approach to the UK’s environmental evidence system.

I am looking for a PhD student to work with me and @dzchilds.bsky.social on biodiversity indicators www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Airport food is different in Spain

Unsure about climbing the career ladder or staying in your current role? Nature offers expert advice. #AcademicSky #CareerAdvice