Championing Nature with Ecology Building Society
Introduction
Ecology Building Society (Ecology) offers sustainable mortgages for properties and projects that respect the environment, funded through a range of simple, transparent savings accounts. Its headquarters in Silsden, West Yorkshire, is a purpose-built, energy-efficient office constructed in 2003, later refurbished and expanded with a garden meeting room. Ecology’s premises, policies, and procedures reflect its commitment to environmental and ethical standards, ensuring the organisation leads by example in reducing its impact and making a positive contribution to society.
Challenge
The UK’s wildlife continues to decline, driven by changes in land management, climate change, and infrastructure development. Ecology recognises the urgent need for nature-based solutions that protect, restore, and sustainably manage ecosystems while benefiting biodiversity and human wellbeing. The organisation set out to nurture the outside space around the office that not only minimises environmental impact but actively supports wildlife and community engagement.
What Ecology Did
The Society’s headquarters incorporates a green roof and is surrounded by a permaculture garden designed to be edible, productive, and wildlife-friendly. The gardens include a woodland habitat with native trees, a wildflower meadow and raised beds for staff to grow vegetables. Bird boxes and other wildlife structures encourage biodiversity, while rainwater harvesting systems reduce reliance on mains water by supplying toilets and irrigation.
In 2023/24, Ecology’s action plan included ongoing management of the permaculture garden by experts, delivery of a weekly staff Gardening Club, and charitable partnerships with Trees for Cities and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The team used the iNaturalist app to record biodiversity, and staff participated in national initiatives such as the Big Butterfly Count and Big Garden Bird Watch.
The organisation also introduced on-site composting for all food waste, including animal by-products, under an Environment Agency exemption. Compost produced is used in the gardens, and neighbouring businesses have been invited to contribute their food waste to provide an easy solution for them and to increase the composting throughput.
Impact
Nine colleagues regularly attend the Gardening Club, undertaking activities such as constructing a dead hedge, planting and harvesting fruit and vegetables, creating floral arrangements, and litter picking along surrounding pavements and hedgerows. So far, 60 species have been recorded through iNaturalist.
Community engagement has been significant. Ecology welcomed over 160 local residents during the Silsden Open Gardens event and participated in Climate Action Silsden’s Green Weekend. The organisation also volunteers on local planting projects to re-green barren land.
Operational improvements include upcycling garden seating to create new outdoor spaces for staff and visitors, encouraging use of the gardens for breaks and meetings. The composting system has reduced general waste volumes and they hope to inspire neighbouring businesses to adopt similar practices. Ecology shared its success locally and even hosted its MP to discuss the scheme.
Looking Ahead
Future plans include pond maintenance, building bird boxes, and further biodiversity enhancements. Ecology remains committed to promoting nature-based solutions and community engagement, ensuring its operations reflect its mission to protect the environment.
Ecology Building Society won Natural Environment Champion in the iiE Awards 2025.