Our strategy

Strategy

Strategy for 2023–30

Our current strategy, which is shaping our work through to 2030, sets out what BTO is doing to make a positive impact for birds and for people. This short animation, by animator Will Rose, summarises our objectives and the means by which we will deliver them.

Our world is facing two huge challenges: biodiversity loss and climate change. The need to protect and restore species and the natural world on which they depend has never been so critical. Our science and data are telling us loud and clear that nature is in trouble. Birds, science and people are at the core of BTO, and our long history is proof of the power of that approach. Our science and long-term monitoring continue to highlight the changes that are taking place, not only identifying the drivers of change but also finding and testing solutions. But we all need to do more, and we need to do it now. Between now and 2030, BTO will do more with our wealth of data, science and expertise, to secure a better future for birds, and for people. Addressing these challenges will mean empowering more people from across society, fostering a strong sense of belonging for all. Our strategy sets out how we are going to do this. We will inspire, engage, and empower a greater diversity of people to discover and value nature. We will track changes in bird populations, as a measure of the health of the natural world, working with partners to find ways to improve this for nature and for people. We will use our science to develop ways to manage our environment better. And we will ensure that everyone who works with us feels valued, and confident they are playing an active role in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises. Birds, Science, People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

Facing up to the challenge

Globally, we are facing two interrelated environmental crises: biodiversity loss and climate change. The need to protect and restore species, and the ecosystems they inhabit, has never been so critical. This is particularly evident in the UK, which has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.

BTO is strengthening its role within the conservation sector, providing robust scientific evidence to support solution-orientated action. A fundamental part of our approach is to inspire a greater number and diversity of people to engage actively with us, so they can experience the benefits of biodiversity and power of science first-hand

The urgency with which we need to ensure a more secure future for nature demands us to do more with our wealth of data, knowledge and expertise. Remaining rooted in science, we are now more solution-focused and more assertive in our recommendations, empowering more people from across society in our work and fostering a strong sense of belonging for all.


Overarching objectives

Two overarching objectives sit at the heart of our strategy:

Impact

Informing solutions to enhance bird populations through monitoring and research, focusing on the most important causes of biodiversity loss and the greatest opportunities for positive change.

Inclusion

Growing the number and diversity of people involved in securing the future of birds and nature through active engagement with our work, and equipping them with an understanding of the value of science and scientific discovery.


Our Action Areas

Our six Action Areas provide the framework through which we are delivering our strategic objectives.

Seeking solutions

We are using our science to find better ways to manage land, coasts and seas, meeting the needs of both birds and people.

Seeking solutions

Embracing everyone

We are inspiring, engaging and empowering a greater diversity of people to discover and value nature.

Embracing everyone

Charting change

We are tracking bird populations to understand their health and that of the wider natural world.

Charting change

Delivering data

We are working with partners and communities to ensure our data and science are doing the most that they can for birds and people.

Delivering data

Sustaining supporters

We are ensuring that everyone who works with us feels valued, and knows they are playing an important role in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises.

Sustaining supporters

Framing futures

We are using our science to track the impacts of, and inform responses to, future climate change and new environmental threats to birds.

Framing futures

Help us deliver our aims

The development of our strategy involved discussions with our members, volunteers, supporters and other stakeholders. We want these conversations to continue.

  • Please contact us at info@bto.org with the subject: BTO Strategy, to discuss the strategy and how you can work with us to deliver the objectives we have set ourselves for the coming years.