Event: Biodiversity Net Gain Virtual Symposium 2026

The annual Biodiversity Net Gain Virtual Symposium will look at the challenges, successes and lessons learned to date. Join the discussion.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory in England for small and major developments in 2024, with nationally significant infrastructure projects also being mandatory from late November 2025.

This virtual event will bring together professionals from a range of sectors to discuss their experiences and lessons learned from working with BNG.

The presentations will be recorded and shared with those who booked via a password-protected website following the event.

Speaker programme

This event will be hosted by Dr Dan Carpenter and feature five presentations, each followed by Q&A sessions:

1. March 2026 BNG Update from Natural England with Dr Nick White (Natural England)
2. Why We Need GIS Data Standards for BNG Assessments with Dr Katie Dawson (EcoSpatial)
3. Mandatory BNG: ILM's Experience Two Years In with Melanie Bachelier & Jasmyna Rees (Integrated Land Management)
4. Designing and Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain from an LPA perspective with Sarah Hawes
5. An Ecological Consultant's Perspective on Applying Mandatory BNG with Dr Carly Benefer (GE Consulting)