How Can I Get Involved?

There are so many biodiversity projects underway in Somerset that we could not list them all here. All the BAPs DEPEND on enthusiastic volunteers. You can help reverse local declines in biodiversity by recording the wildlife you see, making your garden more wild or becoming a conservation volunteer.

Practical tasks

To find out about opportunties to get out and help manage reserves for wildlife, take a look at our biodiversity partners' websites. Somerset Wildlife Trust run many practical tasks.

Take part in a biodiversity survey

There are many recording schemes underway, for both amateurs and specialists. There are groups recording many sorts of wildlife - some are listed here. Check back here regularly for news of the latest surveys. Here are a few examples:

Buglife need our help to find one of our rarest beetles which is at large during the winter - the rugged oil beetle.

Keeping South Somersets Orchards Alive is looking for volunteers to help carry out orchard wildlife surveys in 2012. Contact Ann Langdon 01749 676052 for more information.

Nightingale Survey 2012 - the BTO are seeking help with a national survey of breeding Nightingales to aid their conservation. Please contact .

Help monitor the effects of climate change and invasive species on the rocky coast with The Big Seaweed Search.

Somerset Environmental Records Centre encourage recording of all wildlife and are especially interested in records of BAP species. There are tips for making wildlife records on their website, along with details of how to send in records.

OPAL run surveys for the public on biodiversity. Two running now are on hedgerows and ponds.

Garden for biodiversity

Don't forget that how we manage our gardens and allotments makes a real difference to biodiversity. Take part in the garden pollinators survey and get advice and inspiration for wildlife gardening here. Natural England have produced a comprehensive guide to giving space to nature while growing food on allotments.

Tree planting credit Woodland Trust