If you have been thinking about a career that genuinely makes a difference to the natural world, there has never been a better moment to pay attention to what is happening in landscaping and ecology right now.
On 12 February 2024, biodiversity net gain became law in England, representing the biggest change to planning regulations in decades. That single shift has quietly transformed the job market for anyone with an interest in habitats, landscape planning, horticulture, and ecology. New roles are being created, existing ones are expanding, and employers across the country are actively looking for people with the right knowledge.
So what does this actually mean, and where do you fit in?
What Is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity net gain, often shortened to BNG, is a legal requirement that means any new development in England must leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before building work began.
Developers must deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, achieved either by enhancing existing habitats on site, creating new ones, or using off-site land. Any habitat created or enhanced through BNG must be maintained for at least 30 years after development is completed.
In practical terms, this means that before a housing estate, road, or commercial building can go ahead, someone has to survey the land, calculate the biodiversity value of what is there, and produce a plan showing how the development will end up with more nature than it started with. That plan is legally binding and has to be submitted before a single spade goes into the ground.
The process involves mapping different vegetation types on a development site, then using the national biodiversity metric to determine the value of those habitats in biodiversity units. Developers must submit a biodiversity gain plan showing how at least a 10% gain in those units will be delivered over a 30-year period.
It sounds technical, because it is. And that is precisely why the people who understand it are so much in demand.
Why BNG Matters for Your Career
Before BNG became mandatory, ecological considerations in planning were often treated as an afterthought or a box to tick. Now they sit at the heart of every major development application in England.
When considering biodiversity value, developers are required to consult an ecologist who will measure the biodiversity value of existing habitats and advise on suitable habitat creation or enhancement for the land.
That creates a very direct and growing need for trained professionals at every stage of the process, from initial site surveys through to the design, delivery, and long-term monitoring of habitats. And because the 30-year maintenance obligation is built into law, this is not a short-term employment spike. It is a structural, permanent shift in how the industry works.
For anyone considering a career change into something more meaningful and future-proof, that matters a great deal.
The Roles Involved in Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain
BNG is not a one-person job. Delivering it well requires a whole team of professionals working across ecology, landscape architecture, planning, and practical land management. Here is a breakdown of the key roles involved.
Ecologist
Ecologists are central to the BNG process. They carry out the baseline habitat surveys, calculate biodiversity unit values, advise developers on how to meet their obligations, and oversee the monitoring of habitats over time. Demand for ecologists with BNG experience has risen sharply since the legislation came into force, with roles advertised across local authorities, consultancies, wildlife trusts, and private developers.
If you have a background in biology, environmental science, or horticulture, an ecology route could be a very natural progression.
Landscape Planner and Landscape Architect
Landscape planners and architects work at the design end of BNG, shaping how habitats are integrated into new developments. They translate ecological requirements into physical spaces, specifying the right planting, water features, grassland management, and tree cover to achieve the required biodiversity units while also creating places that people want to live and work in.
This is a role where creativity and scientific understanding go hand in hand. Knowledge of native plant species, soil conditions, and seasonal planting, the kind of foundation you build through horticulture and landscape training, is directly applicable here.
Habitat Creation and Management Specialist
Once the plans are signed off, someone has to actually create and manage the habitats. This is hands-on, outdoor work that draws on practical skills in planting, grassland restoration, pond creation, woodland management, and ongoing ecological monitoring. These roles sit firmly within the landscaping and horticulture world and are growing fast as more BNG sites come into active management.
GIS and Biodiversity Data Technician
Planning authorities and larger consultancies also need people who can handle mapping and spatial data. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills are increasingly valued in ecology roles, particularly for land-use change assessments and BNG site registers.
Local Authority Ecology Officer
Local authorities now have increased statutory biodiversity duties under the Environment Act, and many are recruiting dedicated BNG ecology officers to work across planning, rural estates, flood risk, and highways departments on habitat banking and nature recovery projects. These are stable, well-rounded public sector roles for people who enjoy variety and want to make a tangible local impact.
What Qualifications and Skills Do You Need?
There is no single route into BNG-related work, which is actually good news. The field draws on a wide range of backgrounds, and employers are actively looking for people who can combine ecological knowledge with practical skills.
Relevant degree subjects
Ecology, environmental science, geography, landscape architecture, conservation biology, and horticulture all provide strong foundations. Some universities now offer specialist modules in ecological planning and BNG assessment.
Vocational qualifications and apprenticeships
You do not need a degree to work in this area. Level 3 diplomas in horticulture, environmental conservation, or land-based studies give you the practical knowledge that underpins much of the on-the-ground BNG delivery work. A landscape apprenticeship can be an excellent way to earn while you build the skills that BNG employers are looking for. Find out more at golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-education/landscape-apprenticeship/.
Professional membership and CPD
The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is the main professional body for ecologists in the UK. Membership, and working towards Chartered Ecologist status, demonstrates credibility in the field. Many employers now expect BNG-related Continuing Professional Development as standard.
Useful additional skills
GIS software, report writing, knowledge of native plant species and UK habitat classifications, and experience with the national biodiversity metric tool are all practical skills that will strengthen your profile considerably.
If you are not sure where your existing knowledge sits, the GoLandscape career quiz is a good place to start. It can help you identify which roles in the landscaping and horticulture sector match your interests and current background: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-career/landscape-career-quiz/.
A Route Into BNG Careers: Step by Step
Whether you are a school leaver, a university graduate, or someone thinking about a career change, here is a practical starting framework.
- Build your ecological foundation. Study a relevant qualification or apprenticeship in horticulture, landscape management, or environmental science. Practical knowledge of native species, habitats, and land management gives you a head start.
- Get your hands dirty. Volunteering with a local wildlife trust, nature reserve, or conservation group gives you real experience of habitat survey work and ecological monitoring. Many ecologists start this way.
- Learn the BNG metric. Defra publishes the statutory biodiversity metric tool free of charge. Familiarising yourself with how it works will set you apart from other candidates.
- Connect with the industry. BALI, the British Association of Landscape Industries, is the UK’s leading trade body for professional landscapers and landscape contractors. Through bali.org.uk you can find members working in ecological and landscape design disciplines, a useful network to tap into.
- Consider your specialism. BNG offers multiple career directions: ecology and surveying, landscape design and planning, practical habitat management, data and mapping, or local authority advisory work. Understanding which direction suits you will help you target your training and experience more effectively.
Is BNG Work Right for a Career Changer?
If you are already working in a different field and wondering whether a move into BNG-related work is realistic, the honest answer is yes, it can be, particularly if you are willing to invest in the right training.
People come into ecology and landscape work from a huge variety of backgrounds: agriculture, teaching, construction, conservation volunteering, and even entirely unrelated sectors. What matters is a genuine interest in the natural environment and a willingness to build practical knowledge.
The career changer section on GoLandscape has specific guidance for people making exactly this kind of transition, with advice on where to start and how to find the right training pathway:
golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-career/landscaping-career-stages/career-changer/.
You can also browse success stories from people who have moved into the industry from other walks of life at golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-success-stories/, which can be genuinely reassuring when you are weighing up a big decision.
The Bigger Picture
BNG is part of a broader direction of travel. The government’s Environment Act set out ambitious targets for nature recovery across England, and landscaping, horticulture, and ecology are positioned right at the centre of delivering them. The skills developed in this sector, understanding habitats, working with plants and soil, knowing how land responds to different management approaches, are precisely the skills that policymakers and developers now need.
That is a meaningful shift. Careers in this space are no longer just about making spaces look beautiful, though that matters too. They are increasingly about restoring and protecting the ecosystems that everything else depends on.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you are curious about where a career in landscaping or ecology could take you, the best place to start is by exploring the job roles on GoLandscape. You will find detailed profiles for ecologists, landscape planners, habitat managers, and many other roles connected to BNG and nature recovery work: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-jobs/.
You can also take the career quiz to get a personalised steer based on your interests: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-career/landscape-career-quiz/.
Or explore apprenticeship options if you want to earn while you learn: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-education/landscape-apprenticeship/.
The opportunities are real, they are growing, and the timing has never been better.
External Source
Natural England: Get Ready for New Biodiversity Net Gain Legislation
Internal Links Used in This Post
- Career quiz: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-career/landscape-career-quiz/
- Apprenticeships: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-education/landscape-apprenticeship/
- Job roles: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-jobs/
- Success stories: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-success-stories/
- Career changer section: golandscape.co.uk/landscaping-career/landscaping-career-stages/career-changer/
- BALI external: bali.org.uk
