What happens when a conservation scientist is invited to help shape the future of UK banknotes? Katy Bell, Senior Conservation Officer at Ulster Wildlife, shares her unique experience of helping to select the wildlife species that could appear in our pockets for years to come.
Back in January 2026 I got sent a mysterious invite to be on a panel to advise the Bank of England. I was very curious as to why I was asked to do this. Initially thinking it was a scam, I replied tentatively to find out more.
I was then told that wildlife was going to feature on our next set of bank notes and that I would help pick the species!
A surprise invitation
I had no idea who the other panel members would be but soon learned I would be representing our wee country, Northern Ireland, as well as Ulster Wildlife, and the wonderful work of the wider Wildlife Trusts.
I was thrilled to join such an impressive group, with public figures Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Nadeem Perera, alongside academics Dawn Scott and Steve Ormerod. I was determined to bring my passion for nature to the table while making sure Northern Ireland wasn’t overlooked. After all, we are the most cash-reliant country in the UK, so we might end up seeing these notes more than anyone else!
Choosing the species
The process was fascinating. Before meeting at the Bank in April, each panellist nominated species they felt deserved consideration. From there, we worked together to narrow down a long list of contenders to a shortlist of 18 species.
With thousands of species found across the UK, that was no easy task. The Bank’s design and security requirements helped guide our decisions, and some species were ruled out from the start because they already feature on Bank of Scotland notes, including red squirrel, otter and osprey.
We wanted the shortlist to reflect the incredible diversity of UK wildlife, representing different habitats and groups of species, from mammals and birds to insects, amphibians and marine life. There were some difficult decisions along the way, and I was particularly sorry to see the red squirrel miss out having worked on red squirrel conservation for a number of years and knowing how special they are. However, the pine marten was a nomination of mine and I was so pleased to see it feature instead.
Everyone brought enormous passion and expertise to the discussions, and after plenty of debate and deliberation, we agreed on a shortlist of 18 species, which was unveiled at the London Wetland Centre on 3 June.
The shortlisted species are:
| Mammals | Birds | Amphibians, Insects & Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Bottlenose dolphin | Atlantic puffin | Atlantic salmon |
| Brown hare | Barn owl | Basking shark |
| European hedgehog | Common Kingfisher | Buff-tailed bumblebee |
| Grey seal | Eurasian curlew | Common frog |
| Pine marten | Great spotted woodpecker | Emperor dragonfly |
| Red fox | White-tailed eagle | Marsh fritillary butterfly |
Now it’s your turn to choose. The public vote is open until 3 July, so make sure you have your say and vote for the species you’d most like to see on future UK banknotes.
Vote here: Help us celebrate the UK’s wildlife | Bank of England
Why wildlife on our money matters
Having wildlife on our money is vitally important. Not only to raise awareness of the wonderful wildlife we have on our doorstep, but to also highlight the species that are in need of our protection.
Some of the species on the shortlist are more common and well know, such as the hedgehog, fox and common frog. Others, such as the pine marten, marsh fritillary butterfly and basking shark, will get people asking questions and hopefully learning more about these amazing species and the work being done to save them.
This is such an important time for our wildlife. It is facing so many challenges, and having it feature on our bank notes sends a vital message that we need to invest in nature now more than ever.
Author
Katy Bell is a Zoologist, Ecologist and Conservation Scientist. She manages Ulster Wildlife’s terrestrial species conservation work on red squirrel, pine marten, barn owl and hedgehog. She also volunteers her time on the committee for Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland and is an avid wildlife recorder.
Follow Katy’s work on Instagram @katys_nature and on LinkedIn
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This article was written by a guest contributor. This content is intended to encourage discussion and knowledge sharing within and across fields. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water.