Blog

Last month, the Ecology team shared their reflections on the year gone by and the year ahead, and now it’s time for the Design team to shine! We’ve had a busy year, working on a wide range of projects.

Three weeks after the annual marine professionals’ pilgrimage to the Royal Geographical Society in London for the Coastal Futures Conference (delivered by Ocean and Coastal Futures ), our marine team have summarised their thoughts and feelings on the content delivered over the two day event.

Bat survey work largely pauses over the winter months, as bats enter hibernation to conserve energy during colder temperatures. However, our ecologist Kristina has remained actively engaged in bat conservation by undertaking voluntary hibernation surveys with local Bat Groups.  

In a company that is celebrating its 35th year in 2025, there does tend to be an accumulation of clutter. Sorting through a pile of old reports recently I came across one with some maps from a 1987 field survey in Saudi Arabia (before NatureBureau was incorporated). 

While reflecting on wetlands as World Wetlands Day comes around, many people may envisage marshes, ponds, broads and lakes, as well rivers and their deltas. However, there is a type of wetland that is often overlooked – floodplain meadows. These grasslands, redolent with wildflowers, insects and birds, are iconic in the UK, immortalised through time by artists like John Constable.  

In 2024, we tackled exciting conservation projects, from bat surveys to marine strategy support, and welcomed Dr. Lissa Batey as Senior Marine Ecologist. In 2025, we’re diving into new ventures like seabed carbon studies. Discover more highlights and plans on our blog!

In November, Helen Walsh, our Design and Publications Manager, attended the 20th Communicate conference, focusing on communications in science, conservation, and ecology, with topics like messaging, change motivators, and diversity. She joined online over three days.

Amid global climate and biodiversity crises, world leaders gathered for COP16 from 21/10-2/11 in Cali, Colombia. While there were some small wins, many were disappointed by the lack of progress. In her latest blog, Senior Marine Ecologist Dr. Lissa Batey examines COP16's outcomes.