We are delighted to announce the launch of a new project, ‘More Data for Nature’, aimed at understanding biodiversity trends across a landscape scale, addressing one of the key recommendations of the Sheffield State of Nature report: to close gaps in the city’s ecological data.
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new project, ‘More Data for Nature’, aimed at understanding biodiversity trends across a landscape scale, addressing one of the key recommendations of the Sheffield State of Nature report: to close gaps in the city’s ecological data.
Following on from the successful ‘Data for Nature’ project, which focused on developing a robust monitoring scheme for the Trust’s nature reserves, this new project will work to expand Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trusts monitoring scheme to measure biodiversity at a landscape scale.
Thanks to a £127,800 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and a further £15,000 from the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, the ‘More Data for Nature’ project will work with local groups to monitor their wildlife sites, and collaborate with other Wildlife Trusts from around the country to develop a framework for assessing biodiversity across a landscape scale.
The Trust will be working to identify potential local sites for inclusion in the project and would be interested in hearing from organisations such as ‘friends of’ groups or local land owners who are keen to develop monitoring for their area.
When it comes to data, the more the better, so we’d love to hear what you’ve seen when out and about, or even when you’re at home, so do let us know by recording your sightings on our Nature Counts page. Every record helps us to create a detailed picture of the local wildlife that’s thriving, and what isn’t doing so well. The data collected also feeds in to the National Biodiversity Network’s database, the NBN Atlas, helping build a more accurate representation of the state of nature across the whole country. This information is shared by ecologists across the country and used to inform national policy decisions about nature and the environment.
Add your sightings to our database here
Learn about the groups and people who got involved
Sandra Fretwell-Smith is one of the remarkable people recording wildlife and sending her sightings in to our Nature Counts project. Since the project started she has sent in well over 1200 records and almost 600 species! Read Sandra's blog
Wendy Birks is a bit of a recording superstar – she has sent in 2558 records so far to to our Nature Counts project! Here she explains how she got involved and to tell us a little bit more about her recording and the wildlife she loves. Read Wendy's blog
Data for Nature
The Data for Nature project was an initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund which helped the Trust understand the wildlife and habitats on our nature reserves.
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Nature Counts – record your wildlife sightings
Whether you’ve seen something common or rare, in your garden or on one of our nature reserves, let us know. All species records are welcome.
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Nature Detectives!
Nature Detectives is a great learning opportunity from our More Data For Nature team, perfect for kids from 5 -11 years old. It’s designed to help your children understand the importance of data collection with fun, practical activities including planning, species observation skills, collecting evidence and recording it.
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Volunteering for More Data for Nature
The Trust are recruiting enthusiastic local people to join a network of regular volunteers who will carry out activities such as bird surveys and habitat condition assessments.
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