Why bother?
Conservation is dependent on collecting data. Without knowing what species there are in an area, or indeed what species are missing, you cannot properly decide on how to maintain or create the correct habitats.
Ecologists, Planning Departments and Local Governments all depend on databases to decide what action can be taken when it comes to planning requests and nature Rrecovery or conservation targets and programmes. How can you ensure you protect a species if you do not know it is there?
Continual recording and monitoring can show whether a species is in decline or new ones have arrived. It will show where each species can be found and, in some cases, habitats can be linked together with green corridors. This helps reduce the likelyhood of inbreeding depression and keeps populations healthy.
How can you help?
There are plenty of Apps out there for both Apple and Android smart phones. We would recommend inaturalist and mammal Mapper. Both Apps are free.
Both are linked into National and/or Global databases which means your entries are of scientific value.
We will shortly be creating a “WildChiswick” Project on inaturalist. This means that you can add any recordings you make in Chiswick to our Project and we can view and monitor the wildlife across Chiswick firsthand. We will announce this Project when we have created it.
Where can you find the Apps to download?
inaturalist can be found on: https://www.inaturalist.org. As well as downloading the app, it is well worth while signing in via the website where more features can be found.
Video on how to use Inaturalist
Mammal Mapper can be found on: Apple Store or Google Store. This App was created by The Mammal Society, and more details and a video of how to use the App can be found at The Mammal Society
Will WildChiswick provide training?
Yes, we can do that. If we can get interest from 6 people at a time, we can train a small groups. Please email hello@wildchiswick.com if interested. We more interest the have, the better!
We will also hold recording days throughout Spring and Summer of 2025. keep an eye on the website for these next year.