Co-led by the University’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES), in collaboration with Surrey Wildlife Trust, Buglife and Painshill Park Trust, Space4Nature connects scientists, local communities and conservation groups to map and monitor key habitats across Surrey – from chalk grasslands to heathlands and acid grasslands that support some of the UK’s rarest species.
Mapping habitats with satellite data and AI
Using advanced satellite imagery and artificial intelligence trained with field data from local volunteers, the project can classify habitats to Level 4 of the UKHab system – producing one of the most detailed environmental maps of its kind. This enables conservation partners to identify biodiversity hotspots, assess threats and target restoration efforts, such as reconnecting fragmented chalk grasslands – often described as the “rainforests of Europe” for their rich biodiversity and carbon-storage potential.
Surrey Wildlife Trust leads the project’s citizen-science programme, training volunteers and coordinating the fieldwork that makes Space4Nature’s AI-driven mapping possible. Their on-the-ground expertise bridges technology and conservation, turning local knowledge into actionable data for protecting Surrey’s landscapes.
“We’re using satellite data and artificial intelligence in a way that directly supports conservation on the ground,” said Dr Ana Andries, Lecturer in Remote Sensing and GIS at the University of Surrey and project lead. “Citizen scientists help train our machine-learning models, turning local field data into high-resolution habitat maps that reveal where biodiversity is under threat. To see our work featured on a global stage at COP30 highlights how our region’s innovation and collaboration can help shape the future of biodiversity monitoring.”
Andrew Jamieson, Project Manager at Surrey Wildlife Trust, added: “It’s time for conservation organisations to step outside traditional boundaries and focus not just on land management and species recovery, but also on delivering the tools and partnerships that will drive change on a landscape scale. This project exemplifies that approach.”
Recognised for excellence in Earth observation
Space4Nature was one of the first UK projects to receive Space for Climate Observatory (SCO) accreditation from the UK’s Space4Climate network, recognising its leadership in using Earth-observation data to address environmental challenges. This year it was selected as one of just 19 organisations featured in the UK Government’s Pavilion at COP30, with a video and interactive display presented by government representatives throughout the conference.
Dr Zoe M Harris, Director of Surrey’s Centre for Environment and Sustainability and Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability, said: “The Centre for Environment and Sustainability was founded on the idea that solving environmental challenges means bringing disciplines and people together. Space4Nature embodies that vision – combining engineering, data science and community insight to create practical tools for nature recovery. Seeing this work recognised at COP30 highlights Surrey’s role as a global leader in sustainability research and innovation.”
