Nat Duffus
@natduffus.bsky.social
Ecological economist - interested in nature markets, biodiversity net gain, bugs, and queer science
she/her 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏴
she/her 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏴
Reposted by Nat Duffus
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
www.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM
An across-government technical assessment published today recognises that "nature is the foundation of national security" and that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse". A rational response to this would be to get very serious about nature recovery.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
📢Executive Education Course
Dive into Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance -
5 days of expert training on why nature matters in financial markets 🌿
Oxford | 16–20 Mar 2026
bit.ly/greeneconomy...
Dive into Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance -
5 days of expert training on why nature matters in financial markets 🌿
Oxford | 16–20 Mar 2026
bit.ly/greeneconomy...
January 20, 2026 at 9:48 AM
📢Executive Education Course
Dive into Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance -
5 days of expert training on why nature matters in financial markets 🌿
Oxford | 16–20 Mar 2026
bit.ly/greeneconomy...
Dive into Green Economy & Nature-Positive Finance -
5 days of expert training on why nature matters in financial markets 🌿
Oxford | 16–20 Mar 2026
bit.ly/greeneconomy...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
A lot of what is said about Nature holding up development is simply not true. It’s wrong. False. At best misleading. If you’ve heard that newts are a cause of our national housing shortage, read this from @naturalengland.bsky.social
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/14/b...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/14/b...
Building Homes, Restoring Nature: How District Level Licensing has streamlined development
By Mike Burke, Sustainable Development Portfolio Director Nature underpins our nation's growth, health, and security. Natural England's job is to recover nature whilst enabling our partners in the dev...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk
January 15, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A lot of what is said about Nature holding up development is simply not true. It’s wrong. False. At best misleading. If you’ve heard that newts are a cause of our national housing shortage, read this from @naturalengland.bsky.social
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/14/b...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/14/b...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
📉 UK biodiversity remains in serious decline—a worrying confirmation of what many suspected. We need an urgent rethink of our approach to protecting ecosystems, safeguarding species, and restoring habitats. It’s time for new, science-led legislation. #CANBill
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK biodiversity continues to decline, 2025 bioindicators show
Wallingford scientists contributed to the 2025 indicators with analysis of animal and plant trends.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:57 AM
📉 UK biodiversity remains in serious decline—a worrying confirmation of what many suspected. We need an urgent rethink of our approach to protecting ecosystems, safeguarding species, and restoring habitats. It’s time for new, science-led legislation. #CANBill
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Super honoured to have contributed to this paper, led by the brilliant Sophus zu Ermgassen! We use our experience evaluating nature markets from around the world and derive 5 'golden' rules for the design and implementation of markets that deliver scientifically-credible outcomes. 🌱
rdcu.be/eYFx8
rdcu.be/eYFx8
Five rules for scientifically credible nature markets
Nature Ecology & Evolution - This Perspective synthesizes insights from the past use of nature markets to identify design factors that are necessary if such markets are to achieve their...
rdcu.be
January 16, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Super honoured to have contributed to this paper, led by the brilliant Sophus zu Ermgassen! We use our experience evaluating nature markets from around the world and derive 5 'golden' rules for the design and implementation of markets that deliver scientifically-credible outcomes. 🌱
rdcu.be/eYFx8
rdcu.be/eYFx8
Reposted by Nat Duffus
The programme is out for our Symposium, Exploring Queerness in Natural History, on 5 February.
We're excited to hear from our Symposium Curators, Connor Butler and @aquadan1.bsky.social, as well as talks from Simon Goldhill, @canopyrobin.com and @rossbrooks.co.uk. (1/3)
buff.ly/jc6Unz7
We're excited to hear from our Symposium Curators, Connor Butler and @aquadan1.bsky.social, as well as talks from Simon Goldhill, @canopyrobin.com and @rossbrooks.co.uk. (1/3)
buff.ly/jc6Unz7
Symposium | Exploring Queerness in Natural History
A one-day, interdisciplinary symposium centring LGBTQ+ inclusion in the environmental sector.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
The programme is out for our Symposium, Exploring Queerness in Natural History, on 5 February.
We're excited to hear from our Symposium Curators, Connor Butler and @aquadan1.bsky.social, as well as talks from Simon Goldhill, @canopyrobin.com and @rossbrooks.co.uk. (1/3)
buff.ly/jc6Unz7
We're excited to hear from our Symposium Curators, Connor Butler and @aquadan1.bsky.social, as well as talks from Simon Goldhill, @canopyrobin.com and @rossbrooks.co.uk. (1/3)
buff.ly/jc6Unz7
Reposted by Nat Duffus
England’s most important nature sites are being failed.❌
Protected sites can and should be driving nature’s recovery.
But today’s OEP report exposes the real problem: years of weak delivery, underfunding and political drift have left them unable to do the job the law intended.
Protected sites can and should be driving nature’s recovery.
But today’s OEP report exposes the real problem: years of weak delivery, underfunding and political drift have left them unable to do the job the law intended.
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
England’s most important nature sites are being failed.❌
Protected sites can and should be driving nature’s recovery.
But today’s OEP report exposes the real problem: years of weak delivery, underfunding and political drift have left them unable to do the job the law intended.
Protected sites can and should be driving nature’s recovery.
But today’s OEP report exposes the real problem: years of weak delivery, underfunding and political drift have left them unable to do the job the law intended.
Reposted by Nat Duffus
We are super excited about Ross Brooks’ seminar on Tuesday! Details and sign up information below ⬇️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We are delighted to announce our upcoming LGBTQ+ seminar given by Dr Ross Brooks who will be talking about his upcoming book, Darwin and the Queer Origins of Life! 2nd December @ 4pm in the Life and Mind Building, open to all members of Oxford university 🥳🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@rossb-brighton.bsky.social #QueerBiology
@rossb-brighton.bsky.social #QueerBiology
November 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
We are super excited about Ross Brooks’ seminar on Tuesday! Details and sign up information below ⬇️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Last year I wrote this for Transgender Awareness Week because of the challenges I've faced in my institution. Sharing it again as this week we celebrate trans identities and remember those who have been targeted for being themselves
www.britishecologicalsociety.org/five-steps-t...
www.britishecologicalsociety.org/five-steps-t...
Five steps towards being a trans ally - BES
Five steps towards being a trans ally - BES is the largest scientific society for ecologists in Europe. We're working towards a world in which nature and people thrive.
www.britishecologicalsociety.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Last year I wrote this for Transgender Awareness Week because of the challenges I've faced in my institution. Sharing it again as this week we celebrate trans identities and remember those who have been targeted for being themselves
www.britishecologicalsociety.org/five-steps-t...
www.britishecologicalsociety.org/five-steps-t...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
LGBTQ+ Journal Club is turning 1! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈To celebrate, here's a bit about what we've been up to over the past year: a thread of interesting papers in queer biology (1/n) ⬇️🧵
November 11, 2025 at 11:54 AM
LGBTQ+ Journal Club is turning 1! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈To celebrate, here's a bit about what we've been up to over the past year: a thread of interesting papers in queer biology (1/n) ⬇️🧵
Reposted by Nat Duffus
In our session this week, we will be joined by the amazing @penguinacho.bsky.social for a discussion on penguin sexuality and the documentary Animal Pride: Nature's Coming Out Story! 🐧💬 #QueerStem #QueerAcademia #GayPenguins
October 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
In our session this week, we will be joined by the amazing @penguinacho.bsky.social for a discussion on penguin sexuality and the documentary Animal Pride: Nature's Coming Out Story! 🐧💬 #QueerStem #QueerAcademia #GayPenguins
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Hello bluesky! We are an LGBTQ+ Biology Journal Club at Uni of Oxford 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️. We are interested in topics relevant to queer ecology and amplifying queer voices in academia 🪲🌱.
For those in Oxford, we meet every 2 weeks - get in touch for more details! 🥳
For those in Oxford, we meet every 2 weeks - get in touch for more details! 🥳
October 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Hello bluesky! We are an LGBTQ+ Biology Journal Club at Uni of Oxford 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️. We are interested in topics relevant to queer ecology and amplifying queer voices in academia 🪲🌱.
For those in Oxford, we meet every 2 weeks - get in touch for more details! 🥳
For those in Oxford, we meet every 2 weeks - get in touch for more details! 🥳
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Wish I could say I was shocked, but here's the Labour government constraining the right to peaceful protest again...
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
NEW: Home Office announces planned new anti-protest powers, mainly aimed at pro-Gaza protests like those for Palestine Action. Police will be able to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated protests and potentially order that they be relocated.
October 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Wish I could say I was shocked, but here's the Labour government constraining the right to peaceful protest again...
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
Reposted by Nat Duffus
New preprint alert! We DNA barcoded 95 thousand Ghanaian arthropods, more than doubling the number of BINs (a species proxy) available online from West Africa. In doing so we’ve released a huge amount of new data to scientists studying the region 🧪 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Characterising a species-rich and understudied tropical insect fauna using DNA barcoding
Background: West Africa has high biodiversity that is relatively understudied, especially for insects. Studies of West African arthropod diversity can therefore help address important questions regard...
www.biorxiv.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:47 AM
New preprint alert! We DNA barcoded 95 thousand Ghanaian arthropods, more than doubling the number of BINs (a species proxy) available online from West Africa. In doing so we’ve released a huge amount of new data to scientists studying the region 🧪 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Big Doughnutty News.
Just out in Nature: the all-new 2025 Doughnut. Transformed from a single-year snapshot to an annual global monitor of 21st century social & ecological thriving. Available to all in an open-access paper by @andrewlfanning.bsky.social and me. 🧵 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Just out in Nature: the all-new 2025 Doughnut. Transformed from a single-year snapshot to an annual global monitor of 21st century social & ecological thriving. Available to all in an open-access paper by @andrewlfanning.bsky.social and me. 🧵 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Big Doughnutty News.
Just out in Nature: the all-new 2025 Doughnut. Transformed from a single-year snapshot to an annual global monitor of 21st century social & ecological thriving. Available to all in an open-access paper by @andrewlfanning.bsky.social and me. 🧵 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Just out in Nature: the all-new 2025 Doughnut. Transformed from a single-year snapshot to an annual global monitor of 21st century social & ecological thriving. Available to all in an open-access paper by @andrewlfanning.bsky.social and me. 🧵 1/
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
🚨Women are central to tropical wild meat systems, yet too often overlooked🚨
A new paper led by @jasminwillis.bsky.social, Dr Lauren Coad, @orchiddelirium.bsky.social & @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social reviewed 334 studies across 54 countries, finding women occupy 36 roles, from harvesting to trade.
A new paper led by @jasminwillis.bsky.social, Dr Lauren Coad, @orchiddelirium.bsky.social & @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social reviewed 334 studies across 54 countries, finding women occupy 36 roles, from harvesting to trade.
September 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM
🚨Women are central to tropical wild meat systems, yet too often overlooked🚨
A new paper led by @jasminwillis.bsky.social, Dr Lauren Coad, @orchiddelirium.bsky.social & @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social reviewed 334 studies across 54 countries, finding women occupy 36 roles, from harvesting to trade.
A new paper led by @jasminwillis.bsky.social, Dr Lauren Coad, @orchiddelirium.bsky.social & @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social reviewed 334 studies across 54 countries, finding women occupy 36 roles, from harvesting to trade.
Reposted by Nat Duffus
"Today, we clear a soccer field’s worth of tropical forest every six seconds, a loss dramatically worsened by humanity’s growing hunger for meat"
Wean ourselves off meat now, or the switch to a Pliocene climate that's locked in will do it for us
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wean ourselves off meat now, or the switch to a Pliocene climate that's locked in will do it for us
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Meat is a leading emissions source – but few outlets report on it, analysis finds
Sentient Media reveals less than 4% of climate news stories mention animal agriculture as source of carbon emissions
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:53 AM
"Today, we clear a soccer field’s worth of tropical forest every six seconds, a loss dramatically worsened by humanity’s growing hunger for meat"
Wean ourselves off meat now, or the switch to a Pliocene climate that's locked in will do it for us
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wean ourselves off meat now, or the switch to a Pliocene climate that's locked in will do it for us
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Police continue to mass arrest protestors for opposing genocide and the Palestine Action ban.
The day after the ban came into force, 29 were arrested. Last month, it was 500.
Today, over a thousand people are defying the unjust proscription of a domestic direct action group.
The day after the ban came into force, 29 were arrested. Last month, it was 500.
Today, over a thousand people are defying the unjust proscription of a domestic direct action group.
September 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Police continue to mass arrest protestors for opposing genocide and the Palestine Action ban.
The day after the ban came into force, 29 were arrested. Last month, it was 500.
Today, over a thousand people are defying the unjust proscription of a domestic direct action group.
The day after the ban came into force, 29 were arrested. Last month, it was 500.
Today, over a thousand people are defying the unjust proscription of a domestic direct action group.
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Cool new research by @e-ellis1.bsky.social Moths & hoverflies are more sensitive to urbanisation than bees, but urban trees boost moth species richness in UK cities. #teammoth 🌍 royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
August 7, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Cool new research by @e-ellis1.bsky.social Moths & hoverflies are more sensitive to urbanisation than bees, but urban trees boost moth species richness in UK cities. #teammoth 🌍 royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Our upcoming Queer Ecology evening will be a real treat, with a special guided tour exploring the diversity of nature and its interpretation by scientists throughout history.
📍 Linnean Society
📆 6pm 25 September
🎟️ £15 (discounts for Members and concessions)
📍 Linnean Society
📆 6pm 25 September
🎟️ £15 (discounts for Members and concessions)
Queer Ecology Evening at the Linnean Society
A special guided tour exploring the diversity of nature and its interpretation by scientists throughout history.
buff.ly
August 4, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Our upcoming Queer Ecology evening will be a real treat, with a special guided tour exploring the diversity of nature and its interpretation by scientists throughout history.
📍 Linnean Society
📆 6pm 25 September
🎟️ £15 (discounts for Members and concessions)
📍 Linnean Society
📆 6pm 25 September
🎟️ £15 (discounts for Members and concessions)
Reposted by Nat Duffus
A romantic meeting of Wasp Spiders, Argiope bruennichi, at Thompson Common yesterday.
The male is much smaller than the big, stripy female.
They ended up going out to lunch afterwards, when he became the main course.
srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p...
#Spiders #UKWildlife
The male is much smaller than the big, stripy female.
They ended up going out to lunch afterwards, when he became the main course.
srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p...
#Spiders #UKWildlife
July 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A romantic meeting of Wasp Spiders, Argiope bruennichi, at Thompson Common yesterday.
The male is much smaller than the big, stripy female.
They ended up going out to lunch afterwards, when he became the main course.
srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p...
#Spiders #UKWildlife
The male is much smaller than the big, stripy female.
They ended up going out to lunch afterwards, when he became the main course.
srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p...
#Spiders #UKWildlife
Reposted by Nat Duffus
Congratulations to @natduffus.bsky.social, who has been commended in the @mplsoxford.bsky.social Impact Awards!
Nat has been recognised in the Early Career Policy Impact category for raising awareness of the ecological outcomes of Biodiversity Net Gain 👇
bit.ly/4eSmRZe
Nat has been recognised in the Early Career Policy Impact category for raising awareness of the ecological outcomes of Biodiversity Net Gain 👇
bit.ly/4eSmRZe
Natalie Duffus commended in MPLS Impact Awards 2025
bit.ly
July 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Congratulations to @natduffus.bsky.social, who has been commended in the @mplsoxford.bsky.social Impact Awards!
Nat has been recognised in the Early Career Policy Impact category for raising awareness of the ecological outcomes of Biodiversity Net Gain 👇
bit.ly/4eSmRZe
Nat has been recognised in the Early Career Policy Impact category for raising awareness of the ecological outcomes of Biodiversity Net Gain 👇
bit.ly/4eSmRZe
Having had time to digest the new BNG consultation, I am *astounded* at the proposed changes to the small sites metric (SSM). If the changes are implemented, the SSM could apply to developments up to 49 dwellings/1ha - affecting a lot of developments! 1/ consult.defra.gov.uk/defra-biodiv...
consult.defra.gov.uk
June 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Having had time to digest the new BNG consultation, I am *astounded* at the proposed changes to the small sites metric (SSM). If the changes are implemented, the SSM could apply to developments up to 49 dwellings/1ha - affecting a lot of developments! 1/ consult.defra.gov.uk/defra-biodiv...
Reposted by Nat Duffus
When warnings of Insectageddon were issued a few years ago, there was widespread denial. Less so now. It's devastating. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:12 AM
When warnings of Insectageddon were issued a few years ago, there was widespread denial. Less so now. It's devastating. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Very disappointing to see the govt not only cut funding for nature-friendly farming schemes but ALSO lay out a consultation on changes to BNG which would reduce the requirement for the majority of developments to compensate for their impacts on nature.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/governm...
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/governm...
Government digs grave for wildlife | The Wildlife Trusts
New proposals on Biodiversity Net Gain from UK Government will harm whole communities so that a few can profit more.
www.wildlifetrusts.org
May 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Very disappointing to see the govt not only cut funding for nature-friendly farming schemes but ALSO lay out a consultation on changes to BNG which would reduce the requirement for the majority of developments to compensate for their impacts on nature.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/governm...
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/governm...