Boosting Biodiversity in Business Parks & Commercial Property

Biodiversity is a key consideration in today’s business parks. We explain why and ways if can be boosted further.

A common goal of commercial property owners is to create highly sustainable, efficient and flexible spaces that boost biodiversity. This can be achieved through extensive landscape enhancements and contributes to the wellbeing of both nature and tenants.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.

Why is biodiversity important in business parks?

Business Parks came about in the UK during the 1980s, when thriving economic conditions saw may large corporates move out of towns to purpose-built facilities. These offered cheaper rents, spacious floor plans and ample parking. Back then, these developments overlooked any kind of support amenities and the movement for minimal environmental impact was still relatively infant.

But as employees demands evolved, and as businesses and landowners grew increasingly aware of their environmental responsibility, Biodiversity has become a key factor in today’s Business Parks. Once thought of as an expense, it is now viewed as an advantage in a competitive working world, and for good reason.

Companies that are guided in their planning and activities by both energy-efficiency and the inclusion of nature reap benefit in terms of employee satisfaction and social standing. By creating space for animals, plants and water, Business Parks will become attractive as a living space for people and animals. At the same time, they prepare themselves for future extreme weather events and play a role in climate protection strategy.

Ways to enhance biodiversity on commercial property

There are many ways commercial landowners can enhance biodiversity across their portfolio, for example:

Allocate zones to be left wild – natural areas with native plants make great habitatsfor a diverse range of wildlife.
Install wildlife nesting boxes, such as Owl, bird and bat boxes.
Install Insect Hotelsfor bugs. These can be integrated within allocated ‘wild zones’ and be created from recycled items from around the business park.
Invest in on-site beehives to help conserve bumblebees and their habitat.
Plant trees and shrubs, especially foodplant species providing pollen, nectar, foliage, seeds and fruit that will attract and support wildlife.
Create dedicated spaces for staff to spend time outdoors. As well as resting areas, Outdoor Gyms offer great opportunity for staff to exercise.
Maximise use of any nearby natural features, such as rivers or ponds.
Create an edible garden – growing areas with raised planters where staff are encouraged to grow vegetables and herbs.

Outdoor seating around the Business Park, creating new spaces for occupiers to socialise and enjoy nature.
Create a wildlife walk to raise biodiversity awareness as well as employee wellbeing.
Provide education as to the importance of a responsible approach to the environment, such as staff nature walks with a biodiversity expert.
Invest in Carbon-absorbing outdoor furniture.
Forward-plan biodiversity provision into new-builds and redevelopments.

Speak to the commercial property landscaping experts

If you are looking to enhance biodiversity across your commercial property, please reach out to our team and we would be glad to support you in this responsible approach.