The City Nature Challenge

In an effort co-ordinated by RECORD along with many partners across the Cheshire West and Chester area, citizen scientists work together to document our local species of plants, animals and fungi using a free app called iNaturalist. The Chester Region City Nature Challenge aims to connect people with wildlife, shining a particular spotlight on urban nature; and to help build community connections, both in person through various events and online through iNaturalist. The challenge brings together organisations, community groups and individuals across the region in a brilliant team effort to help wildlife through recording.

Anything observed within our area via the app counts towards the region’s total and helps to put Chester ‘on the map’ for nature. Crucially, observations made by the public over the four days boost our knowledge of local biodiversity, helping us understand how the wildlife on our doorstep is doing. Observations feed into RECORD’s database of biological records, which is used by ecologists, researchers and other conservation organisations.

Over the two years we have been taking part, momentum has built considerably. In 2023, 80 observers together recorded 2,241 observations of 521 species. This placed us 12^th among UK cities and 160^th in the world. This was an amazing result for our first year, but in 2024 we were able to do even better, reaching a grand total of 7,362 observations of 841 species. 133 observers helped us towards this achievement, which meant we placed 6^th in the UK and 81^st in the world.

The City Nature Challenge is an important feature in RECORD’s yearly calendar of engagement, where various events enable us to connect with and involve more people in wildlife recording. Across both years, we have engaged with over 500 participants directly and have often found that the challenge sparks a new interest for people, who then go on to record wildlife year-round.

Preparations are already underway for City Nature Challenge 2025, which takes place 25 – 28 April. The challenge is open to anyone – you don’t need to be a wildlife expert to take part. Just download the free iNaturalist app, photograph your local wildlife, upload and share!

The global City Nature Challenge is organised by Natural History Museum Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences and you can find out more about the global event here. You can find out more about the Chester Region City Nature Challenge here.

Signposts:

and further information:

Find out more about the global event here.

Find out more about the Chester Region City Nature Challenge here.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative farming is an approach to farming based on six principles, which help farmers to ease off chemical use (e.g. nitrates and phosphates, in synthetic additives such as fertilizers and pesticides), whilst reducing dependence on volatile commodity prices. The approach is based on farming with, and in response to, natural cycles (energy, water, nutrients), encouraging restoration of soil health, and optimising ecosystem services from the land. Regenerative farming helps to stabilise profits and reduce risk to environmental change (e.g. intense rainfall and drought). Improved soil organic matter, greater water retention, greater surface water interception, reduced diffuse pollution and much greater biodiversity; are all linked to regenerative farming.

For optimal environmental benefit, farm holdings that have high nitrate/phosphate run-off (CSF reportedly have these mapped) could be targeted first. Prioritise farmland areas that:

• Have more willing landowners/farmers and aligned tenancy conditions
• Support ecological connectivity (species and habitats) and designated sites
• Areas next to water courses to help reduce diffuse pollution
• Areas where high surface water run-off exacerbates flooding and poor water quality downstream, and will help de-risk assets such as CSOs, rail and road infrastructure.

Over the next couple of years, we should see a collaboration between regenerative farming pioneers in Cheshire, with existing regenerative farming networks elsewhere in the country and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

The 2022 John Nix Handbook reports average profit margins of £200-415/ha for regenerative arable farming, although all locations are likely to have a 5yr transition period. National case studies and local pilots at places like Cholmondeley Estates are already showing significant increases in yields and profit by introducing regenerative farming practices into the
management of both arable and pastural land.

Investment in field edge margins for wildlife and to attract pollinators is already proven to be more productive and profitable, but trials have improved biodiversity (insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals), soil health, water storage (increase in organic matter), water quality and public health (nutrient density) will also benefit as natural soil processes and biological diversity are restored.

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Investment from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

From 12 February 2024 under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 developers are now required to deliver a minimum BNG of 10%. This means that the development must contribute positively to biodiversity, creating habitats that benefit wildlife and ecosystems.

Councils across Cheshire have required off-site mitigation to ensure no net loss of biodiversity for many years, including investment in off-site habitats, but this new legislation significantly increases the amount that needs to be invested both in on and off-site habitats to provide real benefits to the vibrancy and quality of our ecological network.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has provided significant BNG units at Saltersford Farm, Holmes Chapel, returning intensively managed, low biodiversity value agricultural land to nature using a blend of public and private finance.

19.84 ha, which had been predominantly under maize for at least 10 years was is now fully restored to a mosaic of hay meadow (using locally sourced green hay), ponds, woodland and scrub.

A blend of public and private finance from 15 different sources was complemented by Biodiversity Net Gain agreements.

This habitat creation has reduced pollution in the River Dane and created space for great crested newts, farmland birds and pollinators.

6.5 ha of lowland mixed deciduous woodland has been used to trial a new technological innovation where native mycorrhizal fungi are applied to soils to accelerate tree growth. Over 80 volunteers have helped make this site a success.

This is a long-term project which will be closely monitored to see how and when wildlife returns over the coming decades. The full extent of the benefits to nature will not be known for many years. The site will be used to demonstrate how to restore intensively managed farmland to nature and how to attract and negotiate nature-based funding. Many lessons were learned during this journey, and CWT are happy to share these with others who are embarking on similar projects.

Funders included, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, CWT members, Appeal supporters, S106 funding for BNG units from Cheshire East Council, The Mersey Forest, Bidwells and Rhizocore.

Cheshire West and Cheshire Council have been working on similar set of habitat improvement and creation through S106 investment in biodiversity units over the last 2years, creating more than 20ha of woodland, specie rich meadows and new wetlands in both rural and urban locations. Many private landowners, working alongside all three Local Authorities are now working to secure similar opportunities for investment, to ensure many habitats can be restored and positively managed across Cheshire through investment from development in the county.