We cover the local authority districts of Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens, an area of rich and varied wildlife within a rapidly developing urban landscape.
Our work helps ensure that nature is understood, valued and protected – now and for future generations.
What is a Local Environmental Records Centre (LERC)?
Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) are specialist organisations that collect, manage and share information about wildlife, habitats and geological features at a local level.
LERCs:
- Act as the authoritative source of biodiversity evidence for their area
- Bring together data from many different sources into one trusted dataset
- Support planning, conservation, education and research
- Work to national standards to ensure data quality and consistency
Merseyside BioBank operates as a not‑for‑profit service, following best practice promoted by the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres (ALERC)
What we do
As part of the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), we collect, collate and curate wildlife information for North Merseyside. Our database includes electronic records provided by:
- Local naturalists and volunteer recorders
- Local natural history and recording groups
- Professional ecological consultants
- Local authorities and public sector organisations
- National recording schemes and societies
- Training and promoting new recording projects and recording effort.
- Supporting species recording using iNaturalist, our recommended platform for submitting wildlife observations in North Merseyside.
Each record contributes to a growing evidence base that underpins nature conservation, land‑use planning and environmental decision‑making.
Accessing wildlife records
Wildlife records held by Merseyside BioBank help people better understand the biodiversity of North Merseyside and beyond.
For education, learning and personal interest, the easiest way to explore many of these records is through the NBN Atlas:
Here you can :
- View species records and distribution maps
- Explore data alongside records from other organisations
- Gain insight into local and national biodiversity trends
Supporting evidence‑based decisions
Records shared with us sit alongside thousands of others to form a robust evidence base used to support:
- Conservation and biodiversity enhancement
- Forward planning and development control
- Environmental impact assessments
By bringing this information together, Merseyside BioBank plays a key role in helping protect biodiversity in a changing and developing region.
Our Key Functions
Curating biodiversity information
Collecting, managing and maintaining high‑quality wildlife records to provide a trusted local biodiversity evidence base.
Supporting Biodiversity Action Plans
Supporting and promoting North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plans through evidence‑based information.
Promoting Local Sites
Supporting the identification and management of Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites across the region.
Supporting recorders
Providing guidance, resources and support to biological recorders and local recording groups.
Developing tools
Developing and promoting tools that make wildlife recording and data sharing easier and more accessible.
Training and projects
Supporting training, new recording projects and increased recording effort throughout North Merseyside.
Working in partnership
Merseyside BioBank works closely with partners at local, regional and national levels. We are part of:
