Citizen science

Mark Ward addressing a group of volunteers at a Shoresearch event at Dunster beach

Photo: Jon Barrett

Citizen science

Many conservation organisations rely on data collected by members of the public to help them monitor and protect wildlife. Discover how you can become a citizen scientist with Somerset Wildlife Trust.

You can help make wildlife count. Literally.

It's really important that we monitor and understand changes in both the diversity (the variety) of species we have and, more importantly, the abundance (the quantity) of wildlife species we have across the county.  This in turn helps us track the health of the ecosystems that exist to support them (and us), which are coming under increasing pressure from changes in our climate.

If we don't notice wildlife declines, we run the risk of losing species forever. There are gaps in our knowledge that we need YOUR help to fill.

So how do we fill those gaps?  Well it’s a numbers game. And by that we mean the number of species records we have from year to year. The more records we have, the more we know about habitats; and the more we know about habitats, the better we can identify what to do about protect them and the wildlife that call them home. 

Choose one of the options below to start a journey to unleash your inner citizen scientist.  

Close-up of a bullfinch perched on a moss covered twig
Take part

The Great Somerset Wildlife Count

The Great Somerset Wildlife Count is Somerset Wildlife Trust’s citizen science initiative delivered in partnership with Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC).

Find out more
7-spot Ladybird

7-spot Ladybird ©Rachel Scopes

Take part

Spot 60 Species

As part of our 60th anniversary celebrations, we're challenging you to spot 60 species to make wildlife count.

Find out more

false - Tom Marshall

Join

Specialist groups in Somerset

Specialist interest groups are dedicated to conserving and recording Somerset’s rich wildlife, habitats and varied geology

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Citizen science projects are a great way to learn more about our wonderful wildlife, at the same time as helping to protect it.

Train yourself up and get recording!

A phone showing the iNaturalist app

iNaturalist and Seek

Share your observations with the iNaturalist or Seek app on your mobile phone

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Rabbit

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Hardington Moor NNR, Somerset, England, UK - Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

Somerset Environmental Records Centre

SERC collects, manages analyses and supplies data on wildlife and the surrounding environment. 

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child and adult looking at wildlife

Adrian Clarke

Spotter sheets and ID guides

Need some help identifying what you see and want to download a spotter sheet?

Find out more

How else can you get involved?

 

Wild about social media

Join the conversation and keep up to date with the latest wildlife news