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Somerset Wildlife Trust launches exciting initiative bringing researchers together to support nature

The new Research Prospectus aims to inspire, coordinate, and amplify research aligned with the Trust’s mission to help nature recover across the county

Somerset Wildlife Trust is excited to launch the Somerset Wildlife Trust Research Prospectus, a new initiative highlighting priority areas of research where collaboration can lead to tangible impact for nature.

The innovative online portal proposes opportunities identified by Trust staff for researchers to engage with, to develop the evidence and data needed to drive effective conservation action. Projects are open to researchers at all stages – from undergraduate students to senior academics – as well as practitioners and commercial organisations working across a range of disciplines and sectors, including conservation, social sciences, humanities and heritage.

Example projects include:

  • Impacts of Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) Reintroduction on the Proliferation of Invasive Aquatic Plant Species in Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Consequences of Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) for Saproxylic Invertebrate Communities in Deciduous Woodlands
  • Quantifying the Carbon Footprint of Grazing Animals in Grassland Conservation Management

To support researchers, Somerset Wildlife Trust offers access to ecological data, field sites, and staff expertise, and may also support ethics applications, student supervision, and dissemination of findings. The Trust works with a strong network of communities within Somerset, so is well-placed to provide opportunities for user engagement and feedback.

Fin Ring-Hrubesh, research associate at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, says:
“Working with the Somerset Wildlife Trust team has provided a unique opportunity to conduct research in a real-world restoration setting. The team has been incredibly supportive, offering access to long-term monitoring data, site knowledge, and logistical help that has been essential for setting up fieldwork. Collaborating with them has also made it possible to link academic research with practical land management, allowing us to test scientific questions that are directly relevant to restoration outcomes.”

As well as connecting expertise with meaningful conservation work, the Research Prospectus will also help the Trust to benchmark its own work and find opportunities to make evidence-based advances in land management and advice.

The Trust welcomes further ideas of research projects, student placements, and collaborative funding bids for co-design through an iterative process.

Researchers are invited to browse the online portal where you can apply for a project or submit a new idea. For more information about the initiative and how you can get involved – or to request a digital or physical copy of the Prospectus document – please email  research@somersetwildlifetrust.org

 

Press Office

Lauren Flitcroft | Lauren.flitcroft@somersetwildlife.org | 07840 840737 
Annabelle Stidwell | annabelle.stidwell@somersetwildlife.org | 07548 764279

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Somerset Wildlife Trust, 34 Wellington Rd, Taunton TA1 5AW
Somersetwildlife.org

About Somerset Wildlife Trust

Somerset Wildlife Trust is a nature conservation charity. Its purpose is to restore and protect the populations of species across the county and the habitats they call home. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to nature, natural habitats and the ecosystems that support our life on earth.  Our aims are to help address both the ecological and climate crises and put nature back into people’s lives. 

 

Nature reserves and protected sites on their own are not enough. In order to reverse the decline in species diversity and abundance, and create resilient landscapes and habitats for wildlife and for people that can adapt to climate change, we need to:

  • Encourage and support landowners to manage their land positively for nature; create more space for nature.
  • Connect wildlife-rich spaces across the wider landscape to create a robust Nature Recovery Network for Somerset.
  • Create a movement of people – at least 1 in 4 – that take action for nature’s recovery across Somerset as part of Team Wilder.  

 

This is at the core of our new 10-year strategy. Nationally, the Wildlife Trusts are calling for at least 30% of land to be managed positively for nature by 2030. What we do in Somerset must contribute to that national ambition. You can read our full 10-year strategy, Wilder Somerset here. 

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