From April onwards, Avon Wildlife Trust is offering regular opportunities for local people to gain valuable skills and experience whilst contributing to some real citizen science and making a difference in their local area. Free training is being offered in species identification and survey techniques, with a packed calendar of practical sessions throughout the summer. 

Last year, North Somerset Council and Avon Wildlife Trust began working together to monitor changes in biodiversity as the council started managing a quarter of its land for the benefit of wildlife. This included moving from mowing grass fortnightly to annually at the end of the summer, as well as upping tree planting efforts to provide valuable new habitats and capture carbon dioxide as they grow. 

The Trust’s work with local volunteers saw them record five times as many plant and insect species than before, with pollinators drawn to the vibrant flowers and a magnitude and minibeast sheltering among the taller vegetation.

Since then, the project has welcomed two new trainees to the team, thanks to the continued support from by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, kickstarting their careers in conservation.

Jamie Kingscott, the North Somerset Rewilding Champions project lead at Avon Wildlife Trust, said: “Volunteers will be getting to grips with all sorts of species, from bees and butterflies to bats and buttercups. 

“Using a range of surveying techniques, it’s a great way to get out and explore the wildlife on your doorstep. 

“We are hoping that last year’s trend will continue, and we’ll discover many more species thriving in North Somerset’s new wilder waysides.”

If you’re interested in getting involved this year, surveys will be running across Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare, and are open to everyone.

To find out more and get involved, visit www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/NSRewilding