Big Garden Birdwatch and the Big Butterfly Count are two of the biggest citizen science projects in the UK.
So, what does it actually mean to be a citizen scientist? It is volunteering your time to be involved in science. Harnessing the power of the people to collect or analyse more data than we would otherwise be able to do.
April is citizen science month and there are lots of ways you can get stuck in to help us here at Kent Wildlife Trust and other like-minded organisations.
Done in just 10 minutes, the Flower-Insect Timed (FIT) count involves observing a patch of flowers and noting which types of insect you see. You don’t need to be an expert for this – just record if you’ve seen a bee, beetle, fly etc. There are handy guides on the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme website to help you identify anything you’re unsure of. Plus, it’s one to do when the weather is nicer, so what’s not to like?!
Riverfly citizen science volunteer, Sarah.
Riverfly citizen science volunteer, Rich.
Riverfly citizen science volunteer, Tim.
Riversearch citizen science volunteer, Ethna.
A Riversearch citizen science volunteer.
The Great UK WaterBlitz takes place from 25-28 April 2025 and asks you to test the quality of your local river, lake etc. This project run by Earthwatch Europe happens twice a year and you are provided with a water testing kit. If you’re keen to get even more involved in this kind of work, our RiverSearch initiative is a monthly survey along your local waterway. You would look at water quality and also identify any obvious pollution. No previous knowledge needed!
Riverfly volunteers are trained to become citizen scientists and join a team to monitor their local river. They detect and report serious pollution incidents and create long-term data sets. Riverfly surveying involves collecting kick-samples from a section of the river and then identifying specific river invertebrates which are indicators of the health of the river. We have a team monitoring the River Darent as part of the Darent Valley Landscape Recovery project.
The data collected by Shoresearch volunteer citizen scientists across intertidal zones along the Kent coast, help to provide invaluable insights into the health of our coastal ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. It’s part of a bigger effort by The Wildlife Trusts to look at the health of our coastal environment and the species that live there.
The Kent Dolphin Project is a collaboration between the Sussex Dolphin Project and Adonis Blue Environmental Consultants, part of the Kent Wildlife Trust Group. This initiative aims to study and protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in Kent's waters by encouraging people to report sightings. Become a Landwatch volunteer and record sightings of dolphins, whales and other marine mammals and play a key role in safeguarding the region’s unique marine habitats for future generations.
Two long-term monitoring projects are the BeeWalk Survey Scheme run by Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. You walk a fixed route (transect) and record the bumblebees or butterflies you see along it. They involve a bit more knowledge than the average citizen science project, but support and training can be provided. We have some existing transects on our nature reserves, so it’s worth getting in touch with us on [email protected] to see if there’s a local survey you could help with.
The Field Studies Council are asking for your records of the first Bluebells in flower, the first dragonflies and other signs of spring. Ten different signs of spring make up this survey, recording when and where you spotted them. We’re probably a bit late for some of them now in 2025, but a good one for next year and you can always add sightings from previous months like when you saw some frogspawn or your first butterfly of the year.
These are just some of the many citizen science projects in Kent and beyond. There is something for everyone, so why not try something new this year? You might just get hooked and become a species champion!
Launching later this year, our MyWilderKent platform is in its final development stages. It aims to empower people to take action for nature and gives simple ways you can help. Small actions can make a big difference and whether you’re participating in a citizen science survey, creating a wildlife pond, or joining a beach clean, it all adds up! So keep an eye out for it and help us foster greener communities and enhance biodiversity in Kent!
We ask citizen scientists all over the country to measure insect splats on their vehicle number plates as a measure of insect abundance. In previous survey years, we have made significant strides in understanding the challenges facing our insect…
We couldn't do our work without our amazing volunteers. Interested in joining us as a volunteer? Find out how you can get involved here.
Shoresearch volunteer citizen scientists collect data across intertidal zones along the Kent coast which help to provide invaluable insights into the health of our coastal ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
