Bold for nature: integrating diversity in practice, unity in purpose

Macarena Cárdenas, Senior Advisor, Resilience and Nature, UK Green Building Council, and Biodiversity Challenge Awards judge

Setting foot into the biodiversity challenge: recognising how and what to celebrate

Embedding biodiversity into the built environment is no easy task. Too often, finances, reputation, or accreditations dominate, while the needs of people, places, and nature struggle to be balanced. On top of that, the shocks of climate hazards and competing priorities make it difficult to define what “good practice” looks like and how to achieve it.

And yet, good practice can still emerge. The judging process revealed that key drivers of best practice also rely on factors that are more critical and under our control.

How to root biodiversity in practice

From judging the award, I gathered lessons that can serve as roots for biodiversity practice, and I share them below in the hope they will inspire others, whether already active in this field or just beginning the journey. Across diverse projects and stakeholders, what stood out was not reputation or resources, but the focus on valuing bold action for nature and people, and its recognition within the judging process. Each project showed that, with a shared purpose, even small actions can achieve something remarkable for nature.

Beyond compliance

Best practices towards biodiversity seem to go beyond regulatory action. Compliance is a great starting point, but it does not have to be the destination. What shone through were examples of biodiversity embraced as an opportunity for innovation, collaboration and resilience. These projects remind us that regulation sets the baseline from which creativity and care can flourish.

Scale does not define impact

One of the most powerful lessons is that significance is not always proportional to scale. A modest intervention, if thoughtfully designed, can unlock connections for wildlife, restore function to a system, and offer joy to communities. Most importantly, if stewarded with care, it will trigger other follow-on actions, just like pioneer plants start a new forest in the wild, slowly but steadily. A new orchard, a pond, or a wildflower verge might appear small, yet when delivered with intent, the ecological and social benefits can be profound.

Leadership and vision: putting people and nature first

It takes courage to put biodiversity at the centre of decision-making, especially under pressure, tight budgets, or limited space. We saw individuals and teams placing value on both nature and people, championing biodiversity with conviction - whether enhancing patient wellbeing in healthcare or strengthening connections within diverse communities. This is leadership that goes beyond transactions - it is transformational, inspiring others and creating lasting impact.

Communities and wellbeing

Biodiversity, and the nature that hosts it, is inseparable from human wellbeing. Projects that engage communities do more than just create habitats; they create connections. When people are involved in restoring and stewarding nature, they find belonging and meaning, and biodiversity and communities gain a stronger chance of thriving in the long term.

Longevity

Inspiring examples of leadership were evident in projects that invested in the future. We saw teams caring for both current and future communities, flood-proofing areas through persistent, nature-based interventions across the UK. Such bold action ensures that nature is not treated as a temporary fix, but as a lasting legacy - supporting both the identity of a place and the safety of its communities for generations to come.

From roots to action

Judging the Biodiversity Challenge Awards reminded me, and now you, that being bold for increasing biodiversity in nature often depends on choices within our control. Leadership, courage, and care support us to go beyond compliance and make decisions that genuinely benefit both people and nature. You don’t need a formal role to make a difference; even small actions in how we plan, develop, or support projects can create meaningful and lasting impact for biodiversity.