Dr Gemma Harper OBE

Mainstreaming nature ensures societal values are recognised and encourages investment: Food Security: Nature makes our food production possible. Water Security: Clean and reliable water Culture & Livelihoods: Nature anchors national identity, rooting people in their community & traditions Health & Wellbeing: Nature enhances quality of life Climate Mitigation & Energy Security: Nature provides our best tools to tackle climate change Climate Adaptation & Reilience: Nature based solutions safeguard property, livelihoods & lives Copyright JNCC

🌿 We’ve published an introduction to our Science Signpost report series which highlight opportunities & evidence needed to accelerate #NatureRecovery across the UK - offering thought leadership & practical ideas to support better policy & investment.

🔗 data.jncc.gov.uk/data/8e1f7b5...

Lots of people stand in front of a green wall in the sunshine

🌿Seagrass meadows play a critical role in the Caribbean by...

🐟serving as nurseries for commercially important fish species
🏖️protecting coastlines from erosion, storing carbon
🎣supporting the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and tourism-dependent communities

A person standing in front of a conference poster display, including JNCC’s poster labelled 105 about bridging the science–policy gap copyright JNCC

The MASTS exhibition booth at a conference, featuring a long marine research instrument on a blue table and a large seal model in the background copyright JNCC

🌊 JNCC is at #OSM2026!

Catch Danielle de Jonge & Jennifer McNulty on site & visit our poster #105 on how boundary organisations help bridge the science–policy gap in ocean governance.

Stop by the @mastscot.bsky.social booth (look for the seal! 🦭) to hear how they connect marine science with policy

A sundew plant sits among moss floor. The sundew is a strange-looking yellow plant with long red fronds

🌿This #WorldWildlifeDay, we’re reflecting on how our air pollution work supports the environmental foundations medicinal and aromatic plants rely on: healthy soils, clean water and unpolluted ecosystems

By improving understanding of pollutants, we help safeguard these species

Graphic Displays: A guide to monitoring Black Guillemots, including an image of likely habitat, and images of Black Guillemots. There are numerous headings and a checklist which capture the survey methods and timings. Caption reads: The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching... Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The peak time to monitor Black Guillemots is fast approaching...
Have a look at our quick guide below, and let us know if you're ready! #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

International Women's Day. Clare Lorman-Hall, Facilities Liaison and H&S Adviser, “Throughout my time as a mental health first aider, I’ve been inspired by women whose courage and empathy strengthen my commitment to inclusive, non judgemental support.”

Kirsty Meadows, Head of Communications, “I’m passionate about mentoring our future leaders. It’s a privilege supporting their career journeys, sharing my experiences and watching them thrive.”

Sara McCracken, Joint Committee Member & Deputy Chair of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside, "I've trained and mentored women in PR, business and politics to find their voice, build confidence and own their visibility."

Susan Zappala, UK Pollution Co-Team Leader, “For me, supportive work relationships are unintentionally two-way and most meaningful when approached with empathy and a curious mind whether mentoring, developing projects or improving processes.”

This #InternationalWomensDay, we're celebrating the women across JNCC who support, guide & champion colleagues every day.

Their collective strength is what makes JNCC a place where everyone can grow & flourish - from mentoring future leaders & building confidence, courage & a curious mind
#IWD2026

A colour photograph of a tree surrounded by cornfields.

📢#JobOpportunity #WeAreSeeking a Land Management Biodiversity Adviser

We're looking for someone with knowledge of conservation and environmental issues and policy

Based in Peterborough or Aberdeen but with hybrid working

Closing date: 1 March 2026 bit.ly/3Ob2H3H

Large group photo of PCA Forum participants seated and standing together in a conference hall copyright JNCC

Participants seated at round tables during a formal event in a large conference hall copyright JNCC

A group of eight people standing side by side for a formal photo in front of beige curtains copyright JNCC

Five members of the youth delegation standing together for a group photo indoors copyright JNCC

🌊 Celebrating conservation success in the Maldives!

The UK’s #OceanCountryPartnershipProgramme was proud to support the 2nd PCA Forum, bringing together #MarineProtectedArea managers, experts & youth delegates to share knowledge & discuss the Maldives Roadmap to #30x30 🧵

@cefasgovuk.bsky.social

A speaker stands at a podium delivering remarks at the event, with GFRA and OCPP banners in the background copyright JNCC

A large group of participants posing for a workshop photo, seated and standing in front of a presentation screen copyright JNCC

Two attendees standing in front of GFRA and OCPP display banners at the event copyright JNCC

A group of six people standing together for a photo with a GFRA banner behind them copyright JNCC

🌊 What does three years of ocean partnership look like?

Yesterday, key stakeholders came together to reflect on what partnership work has achieved for Ghana's marine ecosystems through the #OceanCountryPartnershipProgramme (OCPP)
🧵

@cefasgovuk.bsky.social

A colour illustration of green digital text, overlaid by a blue circuit diagram.

📢#JobOpportunity #WeAreSeeking an Information Governance Manager – to shape & develop the Information Management capability at JNCC. bit.ly/JNCCjob2026003 Closing date: Sun 1 March 2026

A colour photograph of the sun behind clouds, over hills and mountains.

📢#JobOpportunity #WeAreSeeking an Evidence Specialist - to help run & develop our species surveys, refresh long-term partnerships, & provide protocols for citizen science monitoring. bit.ly/JNCCjob202566

Closing date: Tuesday 3 March 2026

The graphic displays a fact file for a Black Guillemot, with arrows pointing to its scarlet legs, distinct white wing patch, and sleek black plumage. A fact box reveals more facts: their weight range (360g-480g), average age (11 years), diet (fish), number of eggs laid (1-2), when to see in the UK (year-round), and number of pairs in the UK (20k). The caption reads: Where would you rank the appearance of Black Guillemots alongside other UK seabirds? Their distinct black, white, and scarlet features certainly catch the eye! More Black Guillemot facts in the post below ⬇️ #seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Where would you rank the appearance of Black Guillemots amongst other UK seabirds? Their characteristic black, white, and scarlet features certainly catch the eye!

More Black Guillemot facts in the post below ⬇️
#seabirds #birds @btobirds.bsky.social @jncc.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Ahead of #CMSCOP15, the reclassification of the green turtle to Least Concern is proof that international cooperation can reverse migratory species declines. 🐢

But its recovery is not uniform across regions and it still faces pressures, so continued action is essential: www.cms.int/news/green-t...

Bottlenose dolphins copyright Nikki Taylor

Fin Whale copyright Nikki Taylor

Marine Mammal Surveyor onboard Loch Seaforth Ullapool-Stornoway survey copyright ORCA

🐬 Strengthening cetacean conservation in UK waters

We’ve launched a pilot with ORCA using their existing data collection framework to target evidence gaps to support long-term strengthening of the evidence base & decision making capacity for #cetaceans

🔗 bit.ly/JNCC-ORCA
🔗 bit.ly/JNCC-Cetacea...

A group of people pose for a photo indoors copyright JNCC

📄Through the #OceanCountryPartnershipProgramme, we’ve published a Strategic Roadmap for MPA Implementation in Ghana, supporting progress in marine conservation & resilient coastal ecosystems bit.ly/Ghana-MPA-Ro...

Huge thanks to our Ghanaian partners for their expertise 💙

@cefasgovuk.bsky.social

A group of seven people stand with their backs to the camera, looking through binoculars across a calm lake.

Today is the February WeBS Priority Core Count! What have you seen on your WeBS site today? 🦆 👀

#Ornithology
#UKBirding

RSPB
JNCC

Delegates at #IPBES12 adopted the Business and Biodiversity Assessment (and its Summary for Policymakers), which addresses the impact and dependence of #business on #biodiversity

Summary ➡️ enb.iisd.org/intergovernm...

#KMGBF #biodiversityloss

Today, we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Closing the gender gap is not just inspiration, it is systems: mentoring that lasts, funding criteria that reward inclusion, and leadership pathways that open doors.

Better systems, better science for nature. 🌿

A beautiful landscape of fields, hedgerows and trees is backed by mountains. In the background, a large lake can be seen between the mountains.

Beyond Boundaries: How 30by30 is re-defining Protected Areas 3️⃣0️⃣❌3️⃣0️⃣

Today’s blog by Leah Farquharson explores the 30by30 target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and how it is re-defining #ProtectedAreas 👉https://bit.ly/4aIc1om

🔖 Biodiversity decisions start long before a policy meeting; they start with who sets the research agenda.

That is why #WomenInScience matters.

When women are supported to lead, publish and shape the evidence, the decisions that follow get stronger.

See why. ⤵️

A group of eight smartly-dressed people stand in front of a mint green and white wall. A banner, with the words 'Together for Nature' is in the middle of them

We were honoured to host Minister Thoriq Ibrahim and the Maldives delegation at JNCC today

A productive discussion on marine protection emergency response, #30x30 progress & building on the work under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme

#TogetherForNature #MarineConservation

BTO CEO Juliet giving a speech at the Marsh Awards.

1/2 Discover how BTO CEO Juliet Vickery inspired & encouraged Dr Antje Steinfurth in this article for @nhbs.bsky.social for International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

📖 Read the feature here ➡️ www.nhbs.com/blog/interna... #WomenInScience

📷 Anthony Sajdler

🌍 What does it take to keep @ipbes.net knowledge alive beyond the moment of adoption?

At #IPBES12, we joined conversations on post-assessment uptake, heard practical country examples and met with delegates to understand priorities and constraints.

Read our recap: www.besnet.world/advancing-th...

Dr Gemma Harper and Dr David Cooper at IPBES-12

Dr David Cooper presenting at IPBES-12, a large screen behind reads "Closing Remarks. Dr David Cooper, Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)

It was a pleasure attending our first COP with our new Chair, Dr David Cooper @hdavidcooper.bsky.social 🌍

Drawing on his experience as Acting & Deputy Executive Secretary of the CBD Secretariat, David brought deep insight into the @ipbes.net process #IPBES12 🧵

@jncc-ceo.bsky.social

The third part of #INC5 to advance work on a #PlasticsTreaty takes place tomorrow in Geneva.

The one-day resumed session will focus on organizational matters, including the election of officers, and will be preceded by regional consultations: https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution/session-5.3

I was honoured to address the 12th Plenary of @ipbes.net in Manchester. Scientists are already active at the interface between our two organisations. I’m delighted to welcome participants from the IPBES community to the @ipcc.bsky.social Workshop on Engaging Diverse Knowledge Systems next week.

Nature is the "ultimate foundation" for the economy, the King has told global experts meeting in Britain to discuss the decline in biodiversity.

Charles told delegates at an @ipbes.net meeting that nature is "vitally important" and underpins the climate, food, water and air we rely on.

✨ IPBES 12 opened in Manchester with a joint message delivered by Kaveh Zahedi (FAO) on behalf of the four UN partners to IPBES, @FAO.org, @UNEP.org, @UNDP.org and @UNESCO.org: strong partnerships make strong evidence count in the places where it matters most. ✨

Defra Secretary of State IPBES-12 speech Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds spoke at IBPES-12 on Tuesday 3 February

Defra Secretary of State IPBES-12 speech

Manchester welcomes a historic IPBESmoment. 🌍 The new Business & Biodiversity Assessment will deliver critical evidence to help align the economy with nature.

As Chair @davidobura.bsky.social says, business is a "critical" key to a sustainable future.

More info: ipbes.canto.de/b/HJAGG

#IPBES12