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Local Wildlife Trust wants your help to find out how wild we really are.

© David Kilbey

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has launched a new ‘citizen science’ campaign that everyone can take part in from the safety and comfort of their home - whether you have a garden or not. They are simply asking people to tell them what wildlife they’re seeing around them.

The Trust recently launched Wilder 2030 – an ambitious plan to combat the climate and ecological emergency, put nature in recovery and bring wildlife back.  The plan includes action to create more and wilder space for nature, as well as encouraging individuals, communities and organisations to do what they can to support wildlife and become part of ‘Team Wilder’.   

Understanding what plants, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals are thriving in our villages, towns and cities and which are struggling to survive, is an essential step towards creating a wilder Hampshire and Isle of Wight and the Trust plans to repeat these surveys so they can track progress over the coming years.   

Becky Fisher, Engagement Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, commented: “Getting involved is simple and is a great way to spend time noticing what’s outside your door.  At this challenging time, spending time in nature can really make a difference to people’s wellbeing and taking part in this important data gathering programme could also be a good excuse to get children to enjoy and learn more about the wildlife around them.”  

 To take part in this campaign and find out ‘How wild are we?’, visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/how-wild-are-we   where you’ll find five different surveys for you to choose from.  You can download the survey sheets and submit your findings online. The Trust will collect and analyse the data and publish the results later this summer. 

Our five surveys are: 

  • Window wildlife spotter
  • Invertebrate insights  
  • Plant plotter 
  • Nightlife survey  
  • Pondlife survey 

These five surveys can be repeated at different times of day, in different weather, and before and after you’ve made a change in your garden (e.g. adding a bird feeder). This way, you can also learn about what works for wildlife where you are.  Share your sightings on social media, using #HampshireWindowWildlife or #IslandWindowWildlife. 

Notes to Editors 

About Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust  

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in our two counties. With the support of our 25,000 members we’re taking effective action to protect our natural heritage. We’re also part of a UK‐wide partnership of 46 Wildlife Trusts; together we are the nation’s most active and influential nature conservation partnership protecting wildlife in every part of the UK. Discover wildlife on your doorstep with your Wildlife Trust by visiting www.hiwwt.org.uk  

The Trust is using its social media channels to promote our citizen science campaign and share resources on becoming wilder. You can follow us on:  

  • Facebook @HampshireandIsleofWightWildlifeTrust 
  • Twitter @HantsIWWildlife  
  • Instagram @HantsIWWildlife 

About the Wildlife Trust’s Wilder strategy 

Find out more about the Wildlife Trust’s wilder strategy: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/wilder-hampshire-wight  

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