Naturfa – Tools, FAQs & Resources
Resource Library
This resources library has been created to support individuals and organisations either considering applying for Naturfa status, or those who have already achieved it and are seeking further guidance.
This page is also available as a document (PDF), PDF file
Within this library, you’ll find a variety of useful tools, data sources, and guidance intended to help you navigate the assessment process and make informed decisions about your site’s stewardship.
Inclusion of a resource in this library does not imply endorsement. Links are provided for information-sharing purposes only and may include a mix of public, third-sector, and private organisations. Users are encouraged to consider the relevance, independence and suitability of any resource for their own circumstances. Links are illustrative rather than exhaustive. If you have resources you would like to have included in the library, please email 30x30inwales@gov.wales .
What is 30by30?
Background information on 30by30 and the wider policy framework underpinning Naturfa
- A 30by30 framework for Wales | GOV.WALES
- 30 by 30 in Wales - Wales Biodiversity Partnership
- https://www.30x30.solutions/
- Target 2
- Target 3
- Natural Resources Wales / Ecosystem resilience field guide
- Natural Resources Wales / Practitioners’ guide to Resilient Ecological Networks
- Sustainable management of natural resources: guide | GOV.WALES
- Natural Resources Wales / State of Natural Resources Report 2025
Good Practice in Equity and Engagement
Practical guidance on delivering conservation in ways that are inclusive, ethical and grounded in meaningful stakeholder engagement
- Equity in conservation – what, why and how? (PDF)
- Conservation International FPIC Guidelines (PDF)
- Fauna & Flora International’s Position on FPIC (PDF)
- Operational Guidance on FPIC (PDF)
- National Principles for Public Engagement
- Stakeholder Engagement Best Practice - Nattergal's Framework - Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery
Global case studies
Examples and learning from other countries implementing area-based conservation
Maps and Spatial data
Spatial datasets to support site assessment and guide management
- Wales Environmental Information Portal
- AI Predicted Historic Woodlands, Wales (OS County Series – 1843-1893) | DataMapWales
- Natural Resources Wales / Peatland Data Portal Map Layers
- River Restoration Portal
- Priority Ecological Networks (PENs) | DataMapWales
- Current Relative Value of ecosystem resilience (CuRVe) | DataMapWales
- Terrestrial Phase 1 Habitat Survey | DataMapWales
- Living Wales Map
Habitat Identification and Classification
Guidance and tools to help identify, map and classify habitats on your site
- Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey (PDF)
- ukhab – UK Habitat Classification
- Data Confirmation - Habitat Land Classification Photograph Guide (PDF)
- Habitats | The Wildlife Trusts
- Types of Woodland Habitats - Woodland Trust
- Identifying-open-mosaic-habitat.pdf (PDF)
- Brownfield sites (PDF)
- Farmer-ID-Guide-English-WEB.pdf (PDF)
- Rapid-Rainforest-Assessment-GUIDANCE-1.pdf (PDF)
- Habitat classification surveys and ID guides | Natural History Museum
- Statutory biodiversity metric tools and guides - GOV.UK
Monitoring and Data Collection Opportunities
Platforms, tools and initiatives to support monitoring of biodiversity on your site
How to monitor biodiversity
- Nature Recording Hub | Natural History Museum
- An introduction to biological recording | Natural History Museum
- How to share and explore wildlife records online | Natural History Museum
- Biological Recording – Providing biological recording guidance, invertebrate science engagement and earthworm training & consultancy services.
Free-to-use apps/websites
- Welcome to e-Surveyor | E-surveyor (Habitat surveys for farmers and landowners)
- Merlin Bird ID – Free, instant bird identification help and guide for thousands of birds – Identify the birds you see (Species identification of bird sounds on your phone)
- A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist (Identify species with your phone camera and submit recordings)
- Seek by iNaturalist · iNaturalist (Identify species with your phone camera)
- Welcome to Plant Portal | PlantPortal (Plant quadrat surveys)
- BTO Acoustic Pipeline (Species identification of your sound recordings)
- Arbimon - Empower your wildlife research (Species identification of your sound recordings)
- Home | iRecord (Submit records of species)
- LERC Wales App - Record any species on the go. (Submit records of species)
- eBird - Discover a new world of birding... (Survey birds and submit records)
- FIT Counts: help us monitor pollinators | PoMS (Survey pollinating insects and submit records)
- E-Planner | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Tool to help farmers identify the most suitable places for environmental management options).
Species records databases
Citizen science programmes
Volunteering Opportunities
Opportunities to get involved in practical conservation and recording activities at a local level
Ecological Advice and Specialist Support
Sources of professional advice to support site management
- Local Nature Partnerships - Wales Biodiversity Partnership
- Local Nature Partnerships Cymru - Partnerships
- BIS :: Get Involved :: Find an Expert
- Welcome to the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre | SEWBReC
- Local Experts - Cofnod
- Farming Connect - helping you drive your business forward | Farming Connect
- Habitat Management Advice | Gwent Wildlife Trust
- Galwad Farm Advisory Service | North Wales Wildlife Trust