How It Works
From Co-Design to Verified Delivery
Plantlife's involvement spans the entire lifecycle of every BNG unit — from initial habitat design through to independent annual monitoring and adaptive management over the 30-year agreement period.
01
Habitat Co-Design
Plantlife's botanists and ecologists work alongside Abounded to approve habitat creation and enhancement plans that maximise species diversity and meet the highest standards of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric. Each habitat type, from lowland meadow to native hedgerow, is specified to achieve ambitious ecological condition targets.
02
Independent QA & Baseline Survey
Before any BNG unit is offered to market, Plantlife critiques our independent baseline habitat surveys on the land at Buckhurst Farm, establishing a scientifically rigorous reference point against which all future progress is measured. This baseline underpins the credibility of every unit we sell.
03
Annual Monitoring & Progress Reporting
Plantlife carries out structured monitoring visits, assessing habitat condition against agreed BNG targets and the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP). Clients receive transparent progress reports, providing full confidence that their biodiversity investment is on track for the full 30-year duration.
The Conservation Covenant
Conservation Covenants are ways for landowners to team up with trusted partners to deliver for nature. It is a voluntary but legally binding agreement between a ‘Responsible Body’ (under the Environment Act 2021) and a landowner. It ensures that biodiversity enhancements are maintained, regardless of future ownership. In the case of Abounded Ltd, Plantlife is our 'Responsible Body'.