We recently joined forces with a cohort of second-year students from Derby University's environmental sustainability programme on a pioneering GIS mapping initiative. The collaboration harnessed the expertise of natural capital specialist Christy Wells, ESG Partner Rachel Bridge, and senior GIS technician Greta Ferloni. Focused on biodiversity net gain (BNG), a key principle in planning and development, the project delivered invaluable real-life experience to students.
Central to the partnership was a comprehensive project brief that set out the objectives and challenges. BNG, as an approach, ensures that development projects leave habitats for wildlife in a quantifiably improved state. Developers are required to achieve a minimum of 10% net gain, typically within project boundaries. Where this cannot be met on-site, purchasing registered BNG sites elsewhere becomes an option to fulfil regulatory requirements.
These tasks demanded not only advanced GIS techniques but also a strong grasp of environmental policy and the diverse requirements of stakeholders, landowners, investors, private individuals, and developers.
Throughout the project, our team provided guidance and mentorship. Regular online calls enabled experts to share their knowledge, respond to queries, and offer constructive feedback. This consistent support empowered students to overcome challenges and refine their approach to data analysis and mapping.
Experts encouraged critical and creative thinking, and by engaging with a real business, students gained valuable insight into industry standards and learned to apply academic theory to practical challenges.
The project concluded with a final presentation at Derby University, which was attended by Greta Ferloni. Greta commended the students for their dedication and the high standard of their work, she said: “I was thoroughly impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, commitment, and their ability to tackle a complex brief. The quality of analysis and the clarity of their mapping outputs were outstanding. This project has demonstrated the tremendous value of hands-on, practical experience within university programmes, giving students the confidence to pursue careers in environmental consultancy, GIS, and sustainability.”
Our collaboration with Derby University has delivered numerous benefits. By sharing expertise with students, the company strengthens its commitment to professional development and knowledge exchange, supporting career pathways for young professionals and nurturing future environmental leaders.
Paulo Marques, one of the participating students, shared his perspective, he said: “We are really grateful for the opportunity to work with Fisher German on this project. The experience allowed me strengthen my GIS and spatial analysis skills, work with complex environmental datasets, and better understand how geospatial tools can support strategic decision-making in sustainability and land-use planning. It was especially valuable to see how technical analysis feeds into real-world environmental outcomes, and to collaborate with professionals operating at the intersection of ecology, policy, and data. I would like to say a huge thanks to the team at Fisher German for their guidance and trust, it genuinely was an insightful learning experience.”
The success of this GIS mapping project underscores the significant value of university-industry partnerships. ESG Partner Rachel Bridge added: “For us, working with Derby University students has been both rewarding and impactful, advancing their mission while investing in future talent. The company looks forward to further collaborations, confident that such initiatives drive innovation, support sustainable development, and create lasting benefits for all involved.”