#### What is a biodiversity audit?
A biodiversity audit is a simple, structured way of understanding the wildlife and habitats in a particular area - such as a parish, village green, churchyard, park, or stretch of roadside. It records what is there now (plants, animals, habitats, and features like hedgerows or ponds) and highlights opportunities to protect and enhance nature.
For parish councils and community groups, a biodiversity audit can help:
* build a shared picture of local nature and green spaces
* inform neighbourhood plans, site management, and funding bids
* demonstrate commitment to the Environment Act and biodiversity net gain
* identify practical actions, from wildflower planting to better habitat management
Audits don’t have to be complex or expensive. They can range from volunteer-led surveys and walkovers to more detailed assessments by ecologists, depending on scale and purpose. Even a basic audit provides a valuable baseline, helping communities track improvements over time and make better-informed decisions for people and wildlife alike.
#### Examples
* Hopton-cum-Knettishall Parish Audit (with Suffolk Wildlife Trust):\
#### Citizen science options
* Essex BioBlitz (iNaturalist):\
#### Professional / digital tools
* [Okala](https://www.okala.io/) - often used where verification or revenue is involved
* Certification aligned to UNEP Finance Initiative [TNFD guidance](https://www.unepfi.org/themes/ecosystems/tnfd-final-recommendations/):\
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