Nature Wise

Top tips for supporting nature, biodiversity and well-being at work

Supporting nature in the workplace, has multiple benefits for people, plants and pollinators.

A recent report in Harvard Business Review demonstrated that even small interventions to increase access to nature – in offices from Canada to China – increased staff creativity, productivity and helpfulness. Natural England’s “Links between natural environments and mental health” 2022 paper also affirms that spending time in natural environments is associated with positive outcomes for mental health, stress and psycho-social wellbeing.

Both reports indicate that increasing access to nature need not be large-scale, expensive or onerous to generate these benefits. Whilst not every organisation can invest in a green roof or living wall, even micro spaces can become ‘stepping stones’ to connect up habitats and provide feeding stations for wildlife. For staff too time-pressed to fit in a regular nature walk, daily glimpses of nature at work and a chance to see, smell or hear our incredible biodiversity are also effective in boosting mood and performance.

Public bodies already have a duty, under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, to maintain and enhance biodiversity and their partners and suppliers are being asked to showcase their biodiversity commitments too when they tender for public contracts.

With all these reasons to incorporate nature more in both our personal and professional lives, we are delighted to share some top tips to help!

How you can take action for nature

Let it grow!

Take part in No Mow May and Let it Bloom June – Plantlife’s annual campaign urging everyone to pack away the lawnmower, let wildflowers grow freely and help nature. By letting it grow, we can support pollinators and help to restore pockets of species-rich grassland. So, whether you’re in a city, town or the countryside, let it grow!

Adopt a green space

Adopt a verge or a green space near your place of work. Download Plantlife’s ‘Road verge and green space management best practice’ guides and learn how to transform verges and green spaces.

Small is beautiful

No lawn or green space is too small! Even the smallest wild patch can provide vital food needed by bees and butterflies, connecting us with nature and giving nature the best start to summer. 

Tall colourful wild flowers growing through a crack in the paving

‘Nature isn’t neat’

Check out the MonLife’s ‘Nature isn’t Neat’, approach to establishing joined-up green space management to create wildflower-rich pollinator habitats across Gwent local authority areas. This includes a comprehensive toolkit to support organisations and community groups.

Turn a neglected space into a vibrant garden

Keep Wales Tidy are giving away free garden packs to community groups, schools and other community-based organisations to turn neglected spaces into vibrant gardens. Whether you want to grow fruit and veg, create a green community hub, or boost local biodiversity, there are several packs to choose from.

‘Biodiversity Basics’

If you are a community or town councillor, you can take part in One Voice Wales Biodiversity Basics (Module 25 – Biodiversity basics Part 1 and Module 26 Part 2) designed by the Cynnal Cymru training team. This course teaches the basics of biodiversity, nature recovery and ecology to enable good decisions and effective Biodiversity Action Plans.

Citizen science

If access to land in your work place or at home is limited, why not explore biodiversity in your local area by using the LERC App, contributing to nature conservation, planning, research and education by submitting biodiversity records.

You can also help control and reduce the spread of invasive species at home or work with the help of this easy-to-use toolkit from the Wales Resilient Ecological Network.

Increasing nature & biodiversity at your business premises

Using the expertise of its Landscape Architecture team, Groundwork has pulled together a free Nature & Biodiversity toolkit which outlines the different nature-based features your business could consider at different scales of investment and impact.

Empower your team

Our own Nature Wise course is a great foundation for all your team, to understand how your organisation can support nature recovery for Wales. Our course will help you to understand our ecosystems, nature recovery, and our individual and collective responsibility to nature in Wales.

Become Nature Wise!

Practical examples of organisations taking action for nature

From small growing initiatives to site-wide biodiversity action plans, the following businesses and organisations are already taking action to increase biodiversity within their community and place of work.

1. Incredible Edible Network

Transport for Wales are supporting and working with the ‘Incredible Edible Network’ of growing initiatives including ‘Incredible Edible Abergavenny’ and Machynlleth (via Edible Mach) which plant fruit and vegetables in public places for anyone to help themselves.

2. Action on Climate Emergency

Action on Climate Emergency (ACE) Monmouth are a community group supporting a variety of nature-based initiatives to boost biodiversity and carbon capture. This includes coordinating seed swaps, a pesticide free Monmouth, sustainable open gardens and supporting nature enhancement in school gardens.

3. Y Stiwdio – A place to make, learn and grow

Y Stiwdio in Pembrokeshire is a creative space where wellies are welcome. A place to make, learn and grow. Y Stiwdio volunteers have created a community described as ‘A special place for all of us with secluded seating and a variety of wildlife-friendly plants to enhance the centre of the village’.

4. Cardiff University – Ecosystem resilience and biodiversity action plan 2024-2026

Cynnal Cymru has office space in the Sbarc|Spark building in Cathays Cardiff. While it is located in an urban area, we were pleased to discover the surrounding land was being used to create wildlife friendly spaces including mini meadows, hedgerows and a bug hotel. The Ecosystem Resilience and Biodiversity Action Plan, sets out how Cardiff University are going to maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience across Cardiff University’s campuses.

5. Capital Coated Steel – Biodiversity garden

Capital Coated Steel are an excellent example of how a steel manufacturer has made space for nature on a previously derelict site. The Biodiversity garden supports staff well-being, helps to educate visitors and repurposes waste. The project initiated by, Simon Nurse, and co-created with his team, has now taken on a life of it’s own! You can follow the latest updates on Simon’s Linkedin page.

6. Greener Grangetown, Cardiff – Sustainable Drainage Systems

Greener Grange is a nature-based intervention to retrofit a sustainable drainage system into existing urban streets, creating over 100 raingardens while leaving space for parking and other needs. Not only does the system reduce flooding, it has increased biodiversity and provides multiple benefits to the local community. You can read more about the Green Grangetown project on the Nature Based Solutions hub.

Top tips for supporting nature, biodiversity and well-being at work Read More »

5 ways to support and celebrate nature

1. Connecting with nature

Spending time in nature has many positive benefits to our health and well-being. ‘Green spaces such as parks, forests and gardens have been shown to have a significant positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing, promoting resilience, social connection and connection to nature.’ Cardiff University: Green social prescribing.

Get a well-being boost from just 20 minutes a day outside. Gareth Clubb, Director of WWF Cymru shares 8 ways to get your daily dose of nature as part of their ‘Prescription for Nature campaign’.

2. Making space for nature

“Imagination and commitment are more important than financial resources” Simon Nurse, from

Capital Coated Steel demonstrates how creating a wildlife-friendly garden at work has multiple benefits for people and pollinators.

A wildlife garden with lots of flower filled wooden planters and beehives

Capital Coated Steel’s biodiversity and well-being garden

See case study ↗

From creating a community orchard to turning a neglected space into a vibrant garden, the Local Places for Nature project from Keep Wales Tidy can helps groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes to create a space for nature.

3. Volunteering in your community

From tree planting with Stump up for Trees in Bannau Brycheiniog to litter picking with Keep Wales Tidy there are many fantastic volunteering opportunities across Wales. A good place to start is by searching for ‘environmental volunteering opportunities in Wales’ via your favourite search engine or visiting the Volunteering Wales website.

For specialist nature advice in your local area, you can contact your Local Nature Partnership Coordinator to find out about projects and volunteering opportunities on your doorstop.

4. Building positive partnerships

Collaboration is at the heart of the sustainability movement in Wales and is embedded into the Well-being of Future Generations Act through the Five Ways of Working. By building in opportunities for collaboration at the start of a project can lead to unexpected innovation.

Size of Wales, have an impressive history of creating positive partnerships that support people and protect tropical forests. The Deforestation Free menu, is an excellent example of how working with the Cookalong Clwb, they were able to inspire children to advocate for sustainable, deforestation-free school meals, with the Monmouthshire County Council committing to becoming the Wales’ first Deforestation Free Champion.

Sign up to the Cynnal Cymru newsletter for a monthly round up of sustainability news and opportunities.

A growing area for collaboration between small businesses is that of public sector and corporate tendering through sites like Sell2Wales.

Networks like People, Planet, Pint often have regional hosts and are a great opportunity to meet like-minds.

5. Feeling empowered to speak out

“Between 80 and 89% of the world’s people want their governments to be doing more to address climate change.” The Guardian: The 89 Percent Project. We often hear in our training, how people are worried about climate damage and the future. They think they’re alone, so they don’t want to speak up.

Through our Nature Wise and Carbon Literacy courses, we bring people together on journey to learn about why it matters, what you can do to make a difference and how you can develop the confidence to speak out.

You’re not alone!

5 ways to support and celebrate nature Read More »

18 September | Are we climate ready?

Join us on 18 September for an informal roundtable event where we’ll be exploring how your organisation could be affected by weather, including extreme events, and how you can prepare for the impacts of climate change, both in the present and future.

We will hear from our guest speaker, Alan Carr, Senior Sustainability Adviser at Sustainability West Midlands, who will be sharing his top tips for adaptation planning. Plus, Cynnal Cymru CEO, Dr Simon Slater, will be sharing some of the lessons learnt from over two decades working in the climate adaptation and resilience sector.

Whether you’re just starting to embed climate resilience into your organisation or looking to enhance your existing strategy and action plan, this session is an opportunity to share your experience, learn from others and identify risks and opportunities to ensure you are climate ready.

Places are limited, with priority booking for Cynnal Cymru members.

Register to attend

This event is for Cynnal Cymru members and for businesses or organisations that are based in Wales.

Date: 18 September 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 noon
Location: Teams Meeting (online)

Register to attend

Speakers

Alan Carr, Senior Sustainability Adviser

Lead – Climate Change Adaptation, Sustainability West Midlands SWM

Alan leads on SWM’s adaptation activity, securing new projects and managing them through to completion. He has produced many place-based adaptation plans and risk assessments, working with local authorities and many external stakeholders. He has also produced a range of guidance and tools to help public and private sector organisations build their adaptive capacity, learn from good practice and implement adaptation action. He is also a partner in the Maximising Adaptation to Climate Change Hub, a co-funded project by Defra and UKRI, which aims to develop practical, scalable solutions that inform transformational adaptation strategies across the UK.

Simon Slater, CEO at Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales

Simon has worked in regional sustainable economic development in the UK and across the world as an environmental advisor with royalty, charities, government, councils, and business, supporting leaders seeking to invest in a more sustainable future.

He has been involved in running sustainability and community development charities, such as Sustainability West Midlands, the Springfield Project, and ecobirmingham, developing people and processes to help grow income and impact.

18 September | Are we climate ready? Read More »

3 people in a conversation

How do we talk to people about climate and nature?

Communication and storytelling are crucial in persuading people to care and take action for climate and nature.   

It might be hard to grasp why some people don’t seem to care about nature or climate change, but for many, life is busy and already full of challenges and priorities. We have also become so disconnected from the natural world that it can be easy to forget that it’s essential to our existence. Unfortunately, just telling people why climate and nature matter, is unlikely to get them to change their mind or their habits. In fact, scare tactics have been shown to switch people off more than get them on board.  

To help you improve your approach to talking to your friends, family or colleagues, our training team have drawn on their shared experience to create their five top tips for communicating about nature and climate change. 

1. Focus on what’s possible, rather than what isn’t

Create a positive vision of a thriving future, and encourage people to share their own vision – storytelling can be a great tool for this. 

2. Appeal to people’s better self and encourage empathy

Most people want to be healthy and happy and would like the same for their family and friends – so highlight the tangible benefits of taking action on climate change. 

3. Remember the importance of listening

When communicating about climate change, what you hear is as important as what you say. Understanding why someone thinks the way they do will help you engage with them more effectively. 

4. Find some common ground

Avoid polarising arguments or rhetoric that can lead to ‘us and them’ or ‘everybody else’ thinking. Instead, highlight the things we have in common. 

5. Normalise positive behaviours

We tend to respond to things we see our peers doing, so provide some real, positive examples of how others are taking action.

If you want to know more? Check out these useful resources. 

To read: 

To watch: 

  • Colli Cymru i’r Môr – three-part series on iPlayer and S4C Clic looking at climate change in Wales and further afield. It’s presented in Welsh with English subtitles.  

To listen: 

To learn: 

You can also learn how to talk to people about climate change or the nature emergency as part of our Carbon Literacy or Nature Wise training courses.

How do we talk to people about climate and nature? Read More »

Bees and biodiversity: Why we all need to support our pollinators

This month, the Cynnal Cymru team have been sharing photos and stories about birds, bees and other wildlife encounters. It is summer, after all, and nature is in full swing! Our Training Administrator Tom also took part in the Wye Valley BuzzWatch: Bee ID and Monitoring workshop, which you can read about below.

But first, why should we care about bees?

  • Twenty percent of the UK’s cropped area contains crops which are dependent on pollinators, and the value of pollinators to UK agriculture is over £690 million per year.

We have lost 97% of our wildflower-rich meadows since the 1940s, and as the number of flowers in our countryside have declined, so too have our bumblebee pollinators, and they are in desperate need of our help!

The main threats to pollinators include habitat loss, environmental pollution, climate change and the spread of alien species.

Honey bees Vs native pollinators

There is just one species of honey bee in Britain and Europe, the Western or European Honey bee Apis mellifera. In contrast, there are over 1500 other pollinator species in the UK, including over 270 wild bee species, as well as hoverflies, moths and butterflies. Honey bees are not at threat of extinction in the UK. But there is increasing concern worldwide that declines in wild pollinators may be worsened by high densities of honey bees. For example, one honey bee hive can contain over 40,000 bees. That’s 40,000 bees competing with other wild species for food and resources, which could put a strain on the native wild bees. Honey bee hives have also been known to spread disease to wild bees, devastating local populations. If, for example, a honeybee hive was introduced into an area where a rare bumblebee species had made its home, this could result in the end of that population.

The UK has also lost 97% of its wildflower meadows in the last century, which means bumblebees are struggling to find enough food and good nesting spots to survive. The use of insecticides can also directly kill or affect the ability of bumblebees to find food and reproduce, with herbicide use killing flowering plants, a vital food source for bumblebees. Shifts in seasonal patterns and weather also disrupt bumblebee behaviour and impact survival at key life stages, such as spring emergence, nesting, and winter hibernation.

Extreme weather events like floods, droughts and storms also impact bumblebee numbers. Floods can drown hibernating queens and underground nests. Droughts can cause plant deaths, reducing the amount of nectar and pollen available for bumblebees to feed on and collect, with storms preventing bumblebees from foraging for food, as they struggle to fly in wet windy weather.

How you can help support pollinators

From volunteering to making your green spaces more pollinator friendly the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has plenty of bee-friendly ways to get involved.

Read ‘An introduction to bumblebees’, by Dr Richard Comont. The book covers bumblebee biology, their decline and conservation and what you can do to help them in your garden and beyond.

Whether you are a business, community or an individual, you can join the ‘Bee friendly’ initiative supported by Wales Biodiversity Partnership to help make Wales a pollinator friendly country

If you want to learn more about the links between human activity and ecosystem disruption and develop the knowledge to enable you and your organisation to take action for nature recovery, then signing up for our Nature Wise Eco-Literacy course might be the next step for you.

Nature Wise is a science-based, action-focused course to help you to understand the relationships between people and natural systems. It shares knowledge, builds understanding and provide the tools to motivate and catalyse action. You can sign up to our online courses at the below link.

Tom talks about what he learnt at the Bee ID and Monitoring workshop

On World Bee Day May 20th, I was lucky enough to attend a Bee ID and Monitoring workshop that was organised by Wye Valley National Landscapes and delivered by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Our expert for the day was Dr Richard Comont (Bumblebee Conservation Trust Science Manager). During the morning session Richard took us through a presentation on the benefits of bumblebees and other pollinators, and the data showing their unfortunate decline over the years. We looked at what we can do as individuals to allow them to thrive and make sure their much-needed habitats are protected. We learnt how to identify different bees and the differences between the queen, other female workers and male drones.

Fun fact: Female bees, including worker bees and queens, are the only ones that can sting. The stinger is a modified ovipositor; the organ used for laying eggs and is therefore only possessed by females. Male bees (drones) do not have stingers.

After a wonderful lunch put on by the National Landscapes team, we collected our Bee ID kit and went to Trelleck Wet Meadows for an afternoon session of bee identification.

We had a great afternoon carefully catching and identifying bees. I caught three female worker Red-Tailed bumblebees. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of these as I was far too excited at the time. One of the other attendees caught a Brown-Banded Carder bee which was the first time one was recorded in the Wye-Valley National Landscape. 

I went away from the day with new knowledge and skills that will allow me to record and document the bumblebees that I come across, and add to the baseline data of bumblebee populations across the Wye-Valley National Landscape to allow them to focus their conservation efforts in the most important areas.

Tom Kirkton is the Training Administrator at Cynnal Cymru

Bees and biodiversity: Why we all need to support our pollinators Read More »

09 July | Nature-based solutions at work

Join us on 09 July for an informal roundtable event where we’ll be exploring how nature-based solutions can create real business benefits in the workplace .

Led by Louise Cartwright, our Head of Training, this session will feature expert insights on how organisations are embedding nature into their operations—and the positive impacts they’re seeing. We’ll also be joined by Stacy Griffiths, Corporate Environment Lead and Danielle Pugh, Sustainability Assistant from Wales & West Utilities. They will be sharing their integrated approach to supporting nature.

Whether you’re just starting your nature journey or looking to enhance your existing strategy, these sessions are a chance to connect, learn, and share your own experiences.

Places are limited, with priority booking for Cynnal Cymru members.

Register to attend

This event is Cynnal Cymru members and for businesses or organisations that are based in Wales.

Date: 09 July 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Teams Meeting (online)

Register to attend

Speakers

Stacy Griffiths (AIEMA) | Corporate Environment Lead, Wales and West Utilities

Stacy Griffiths joined Wales & West Utilities in 2005, where she gained extensive experience across a variety of roles in Business Services before moving into Asset Management. In March 2022, she joined the Corporate Environment Team as an Environment Analyst, swiftly ascending to Corporate Environment Lead in October 2022 when the team expanded into the Sustainability and Environment team it is today. 

In her current capacity, Stacy is responsible for delivering Wales & West Utilities’ comprehensive Environmental Action Plan. This plan outlines the company’s short, medium, and long-term ambitions to significantly reduce environmental impacts in key areas such as business carbon, resource use, and waste, while simultaneously maximising positive impacts on natural capital, culture, and society.

Stacy earned her BSc through the Open University, graduating in 2023. She is currently completing a Certificate in Environmental Management with IEMA, working towards obtaining Registered Environmental Practitioner status on her path to full chartership.

Danielle Pugh (AIEMA) | Sustainability Assistant, Wales and West Utilities

Danielle Pugh is a Sustainability Assistant at Wales & West Utilities, where she joined the Sustainability & Environment team in 2024. She plays a key role in embedding eco-conscious solutions into daily operations and supporting strategies that drive meaningful environmental change. With over eight years of experience across various departments at Wales & West Utilities, Danielle brings a broad perspective and valuable insight to her current role.

Danielle earned her BSc at the University of South Wales in 2014 and has recently gained her IEMA Associate status and is working towards full chartership. Danielle looks forward to contributing to the conversation on building a more sustainable future.

09 July | Nature-based solutions at work Read More »

4 Ways to take action for nature in Wales

1. Volunteer with a local environmental group

    From tree planting with Stump up for Trees in Bannau Brycheiniog to campaigning with Climate Cymru, there are many fantastic volunteering opportunities across Wales. A good place to start is by searching for ‘environmental volunteering opportunities in Wales’ via your favourite search engine or visiting the Volunteering Wales website.

    2. Discover your Local Nature Partnership

    For specialist nature advice in your local area, you can contact your Local Nature Partnership Coordinator to find out about projects and volunteering opportunities on your doorstop.

    3. Make space for nature

    Are you ready to turn a neglected space into a vibrant garden where nature can thrive? Keep Wales Tidy’s Local Places for Nature scheme, provides free guidance and ‘garden packs’ with plants, seeds and tools, to groups wanting to create and care for wildlife-friendly areas.

    4. Be empowered through learning

    And finally, if you would like to learn more about ecosystems – how to understand them, talk about them and take action to protect and restore them – join one of our next Nature Wise training sessions.

      4 Ways to take action for nature in Wales Read More »

      Growing a ‘Capital’ garden

      You do not typically associate a steel manufacture as being a leader in terms of contributing positively to biodiversity, but that’s exactly what Simon Nurse and his team at Capital Coated Steel set out to do.

      Simon’s enthusiasm and innovative approaches to his work, show how you can make space for nature in the unlikeliest places with incredible results.

      Reclaiming space for nature

      The inspiration for the garden was provided by the space itself, where the Victorian walls presented an opportunity to think about the area differently. Simon was also inspired by the book, ‘Islands of abandonment’ (Cal Flynn), and this led him to think about how places can revert to their previous state. Finally, the desire to do something positive and meaningful that would have internal and external benefits, helped to put a plan into action.

      The idea was to create a biodiversity and well-being garden, designed to acknowledge the lengthy industrial heritage of the site and also to restore the area to a bio-productive space by introducing nesting boxes, bee hives, planters filled with pollinator friendly flowers, two ponds and a canopy with a green roof.

      Advice came from lots of quarters; including Project Nestbox and the Sirhowy Bee Company, and also from gardeners from within their team, alongside friends and family.

      “We have also never stopped listening to ideas and are currently working on an edible gardening journey to share crops with our staff.”

      The garden was developed as a multi-faceted tool for sustainability, it:

      • Gives nature a place to thrive
      • Is part of a wildlife corridor on site
      • Offers a real-world example of nature alongside industry
      • Is a mechanism for training
      • A clear embodiment of our sustainability aspirations
      • An inspiration for other businesses

      Balancing business and bees

      The biggest challenges came from the environment within which the garden is sited and also creating the ‘right’ balance between core business activities and maintenance. Would the bees thrive? Which plants are hardy, low maintenance and good for biodiversity? Could they allocate sufficient resource within weather windows? (they are after all, a steel company and not a botanical garden, so there is only so much time they could devote to the garden itself).  However the latter point is almost moot – where there’s a will there’s a way.

      Beyond business benefits

      The benefits have been significant. Simon reflects on some of the successes so far:

      “On the environment – we have returned life to a formerly barren area. The space is now full of flora and fauna, most obviously flowers, shrubs, birds, bees, insects and amphibians.  

      On the workforce – I can’t think of a better project that’s communicated the values of sustainability and the importance of biodiversity, from materials re-use to eco-systems.

      On the organisation – it has been a real success in convincing the outside world that we listen, think, plan and act on sustainability. This has manifested itself in improved relations with key stakeholders and customers. Banks in particular, value organisations who take their responsibilities seriously.”

      How to start your own biodiversity journey

      Simon and his team are proof, that even the smallest space can have big impact and the momentum and growth of the project shows that just starting where you are can be enough. As Simon say:

      “The big takeaway from project is no matter what resources you have – or don’t have – at your disposal, do what you can with what you’ve got. Any area can be used, waste can be upcycled. Imagination and commitment are more important than financial resources.”

      Capital Coated Steel is a processor of pre-finished steels and metals, offering slitting, decoiling, profiling and shearing services. A Welsh owned company established in 1972, Capital serves multiple markets including building envelope, domestic appliance, cold rooms and general manufacturing.

      They regularly work across many sustainability initiatives and in 2025 achieved the Ecovadis sustainability rating Silver award.

      Simon regularly shares progress on the garden on Linkedin and is well worth a follow.

      Not sure where to start on your own biodiversity journey? Check out our Nature Wise course to learn about the links between human activity and ecosystem disruption. Our eco-literacy training will help you develop the knowledge to enable you and your organisation to take action for nature recovery.

      Find out more >>

      Growing a ‘Capital’ garden Read More »

      How does my job relate to nature?

      Why holding a space for nature-connection is my dream job

      Our Sustainability Trainer Sara Wynne-Pari discusses her sustainability journey.

      Growing up in rural North Wales has greatly influenced my love for nature and my dedication to protecting the natural environment. Although I’ve worked across a wide variety of disciplines, nature and biodiversity have been a constant underlying theme. I enjoy helping others on their sustainability journey and being a good environmental communicator, able to understand and tailor discussions to individual needs, has been integral to my work.

      This passion for both nature and communication has led me to be the lead trainer and project manager for  Nature Wise, our eco-literacy training programme. I also develop content and deliver bespoke nature-based training to help organisations improve their understanding of the nature crisis and recognise ways they can take action to reverse it. 

      I’m currently studying an IEMA-accredited MSc in Environmental and Business Management at Bangor University. Although I was nervous to return to education two decades after my bachelor’s degree, I have found the experience re-energising. It is rewarding to develop my own knowledge but also great to be able to apply all the experience and insights I have gained to what I’m learning.

      When I’m not working, you’ll find me exploring the beaches of Ynys Mon, waiting for the cuckoo’s return to Nant Ffrancon, looking for new swimming spots or riding my electric bike through Eryri (Snowdonia). Delivering the NatureWise course has given me an even deeper respect and connection to nature and I feel very lucky to be able to hold a space for others to explore this through the course.  

      Nature Wise is a science-based, action-focused course to help participants understand the relationships between people and natural systems. It shares knowledge, builds understanding and provides the tools to motivate and catalyse action. 

      We can’t live without nature — it provides us with the essentials for life, such as clean air, water, and food, and greatly contributes to our physical and mental wellbeing. It is our best ally in the fight against climate change. 

      There’s a way we can all incorporate nature into our work – of course planting trees and volunteering outdoors is important but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. There are lots of other ways we can help, for example, you could become a nature champion at work, sharing tips and ideas with your colleagues; encouraging your organisation to incorporate wildlife corridors and pollinating plants around your business sites or incorporating biodiversity considerations into your procurement process. 

      Unsure of how you can implement any of that in your role? Worried you don’t have the right influence, or can’t figure out the steps to getting there?

      Join us for the Nature Wise eco-literacy course! We will provide you with information, ideas and inspiration. We also offer bespoke courses for any organisations who would like more tailored content.

      Sara Wynne-Pari is one of our Sustainability Trainers. She leads Nature Wise eco-literacy training, regularly running Nature Wise for Work which helps you understand your human-nature relationship as it fits in with your job role, and how you can improve your work’s relationship to nature via achievable goals.

      How does my job relate to nature? Read More »

      Nature Wise for business – ‘Give it a go, because the clock is ticking’

      Tell us about Orangebox and your role 

      We design and manufacture office furniture and the company is sustainability-led. Our HQ and two factories are in south-east Wales, and three years ago we were bought out by Steelcase, a big American company. 

      I joined as a furniture designer around 20 years ago, but just over a year ago I became Head of Sustainability. I’m interested in minimising our carbon footprint and I also look after our energy efficiency. 

      Why is nature important to you and the businesses? 

      I do a lot of cycling, I’m a keen birdwatcher and part of a conservation group. So I’m passionate about biodiversity and I’m helping Orangebox acknowledge that climate change isn’t the only big risk.  

      Part of the Orangebox team volunteering at the Stump up for Trees nursery outside of Abergavenny.

      How important is nature in your sector? 

      Increasingly so, but we are at the first rungs on the ladder. Orangebox prides itself on being environmentally-led, but it’s always felt like we’ve been pushing. Now customers are asking how they can reduce their carbon footprint. The biodiversity and nature discussion is nowhere near as mature, but as we see more media exposure of biodiversity loss that will increase exponentially in the next 5 years.  

      What do you think are the best things about nature in Wales?  

      It’s the variety. I love where I live because in half an hour I can be on top of a mountain, on a cliff looking out to sea, or at Newport wetlands surrounded by thousands of starlings. 

      I work in a design studio on the banks of the Taff, where I’m lucky to look onto woodland. Every time we see a species of bird we print out a picture and put it on the wall. You won’t believe how many species we’ve seen!  

      Why did you choose to do Nature Wise? 

      The minute I saw it, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of how ecosystems work and get a better understanding of biodiversity loss. Because I’m with Cardiff Conservation Volunteers my course was essentially free, as it was funded by GWR. 

      Volunteering at Stump up for Trees.

      How was the course? 

      I really enjoyed it. The trainers knew the content and had passion for it, and it was just the right level in terms of complexity. 

      What changes are you making, following the course? 

      Personally, I’ve pledged to do more in my village and have been talking to my neighbours. But more impactful will be how I can help at Orangebox. We’re thinking harder about the materials we use and where they come from. For example, we use a lot of wood, and while that is low impact compared to plastics and metals, we still have to buy most of it from abroad. So we’re working hard on developing partnerships that allow us to source wood from well-managed forests in the UK.  

      Litter Gareth collected from a local stream.

      What would you say to others about why they should sign up for Nature Wise? 

      Give it a go, because the clock is ticking.  

      Nabod Natur – Nature Wise is a science-based, action-focused course to help individuals to understand the relationships between people and natural systems. It shares knowledge, builds understanding and provide the tools to motivate and catalyse action. 

      Nature Wise for business – ‘Give it a go, because the clock is ticking’ Read More »

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