Mushrooms in woodland

Become a Biodiversity Net Gain ecological contractor

At GIGL, we are building a high-integrity marketplace rooted in trust, transparency, and robust ecological practice.

We believe the strength of our work lies in the quality of the people we collaborate with—and we’re always looking to connect with ecologists who share our values.

Whether you're an experienced consultant or part of a specialist team, we welcome expressions of interest from professionals who are committed to delivering reliable, evidence-based ecological work. Our goal is to build a trusted network of individuals and organisations we can work with directly—or confidently recommend to others.

If you are passionate about ecology, uphold high professional standards, and want to be part of a community that values integrity and impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Mission and Values

GIGL’s Mission and Values are the foundation of the Framework.

We commit to:

  • Promote high integrity nature-based projects.

    Meet very high standards of design, creation and management

    Help contribute and deliver Lincolnshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy and/or

    Improve the quality of the environment close to communities that experience a deficit in nature.

  • Provide a high integrity marketplace

    Used for trades in nature-based projects and services of any size, provided participants meet the standards of our Professional Values Framework,

    Operated fairly, transparently and subject to independent scrutiny.

  • Honest and transparent pricing

    Set reasonable charges for its services that are sufficient to pay for its long-term costs.

  • Re-invest profits for good

    Re-invest any profits that it generates to protect and improve nature in Lincolnshire.

Ecologists

Robust, high quality ecological assessment

Ecologists play a key role in assessing and understanding both development sites and habitat bank conditions, identifying critical influencing environmental factors, and recommending opportunities for mitigation, habitat enhancement or habitat creation.  

In Biodiversity Net Gain systems, ecologists are key to supporting delivery of mandatory processes including; UKHab Baseline assessments, The Biodiversity Metrics and Small Site Metric, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), and on-going condition assessments under the BNG legislation.

Mushrooms in woodland

Requirements

Requirements for 
GIGL consultants

For trade in BNG units to occur via the GIGL marketplace, ecological assessments and BNG plans must be undertaken by a suitably qualified/experienced ecologist. Our Professional Values Framework requires that Ecologists demonstrate, and assure a continued commitment, to:

  • Adhering to UK’s 10 Good Practice Principles for BNG.

  • Annual attendance at a GIGL ecologist CPD event.

  • Either a minimum FISC Level 3 qualification, and/or, a portfolio of experience that evidences equivalent competence in botanical identification (where Area and Hedgerow habitats are affected).

  • Proportionate application of British Standards BS 42020 (Biodiversity. Code of practice for planning and development) and BS 8683 (Process for designing and implementing biodiversity net gain).

  • Accredited River Condition Assessment qualification and/or a portfolio of experience that evidences equivalent competence (where Watercourse habitats are affected).

Ferns in a field

Take the next step and register your interest with us

Register as a consultant