Chilterns Champions: Outstanding in their fields

This is YOUR chance from a host of speakers and volunteers from across the Chilterns, as well as national organisations, about citizen science and how you can get involved!

Kicking off with a keynote from Chris Packham, we will hear from organisations who are working to protect, conserve and enhance birds, butterflies, rivers, heritage and more in the UK.

During the day, we will discuss key areas of citizen science work, the importance of such research at the regional and national levels, and the benefits enjoyed by citizen scientists already gathering data across the Chilterns.

Schedule (Detailed Schedule and Speakers list sent out following registration, including speaker bios)

9:30-9:35 - Welcome and introductions

9:35-10:50 - Why Citizen science matters

Session chair: Chris Packham, CBE

Every record of every blue tit, marbled white, Chiltern gentian or historic routeway matters. It matters to decision makers who use data to inform policy; it matters to the 10,000s of volunteers who dedicate their weekends to recording and it matters to you personally for so many reasons.

It also matters to Chris Packham who speaks passionately about the impact recording wildlife has had on his life, his passion for great science and the need for more decisions that affect our wildlife to founded in solid evidence based science.

Panel discussion and Q&A

11:00-12:00 Looking out for our wildlife

Session chair: Mick Jones, BMERC Advisory Panel

Rightly so the UK has a worldwide reputation for leading the way in understanding what is happening to its wildlife. Data sets spanning many decades give a foundation for policy makers and land managers to make evidence based decisions helping to support the plight of our wildlife.

This wouldn’t be possible without the passion, dedication and skills of many 1,000s of volunteer recorders heading out in all terrains and in all weathers.

This session showcases just some of these national, local and site-based recording schemes. It will explore why the work Citizen Scientists do matters, what it is telling us, how the data gets used and difference it makes.

12.10 - 13.10 A stream of data – citizen science and river monitoring

Session chair: Allen Beechey (Project Officer, Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, CCB)

Around the world, monitoring our changing environment has increasingly been bolstered, and in some ways led, by Citizen Science initiatives. Understanding and protecting our rivers and streams has its own unique set of challenges, but Citizen Scientists have risen to these and are contributing valuable data on physical changes, water quality, and ecosystem health and biodiversity. Supported by catchment partnership approaches, the wealth of citizen science data generated is integrated into wider networks of collaboration which facilitate the decision-making processes that will affect these rivers’ ability to survive and thrive.

This session highlights some of the work being conducted on the globally rare and dangerously threatened chalk streams of the Chilterns and will demonstrate how vital the Citizen Science contribution is to their future.

Q&A

Lunch Break

13.40 - 14.40 ‘Many hands make light work’: Shedding light on the past

Session chair: Dr Wendy Morrison (Project Manager, Beacons of the Past, CCB)

The ability to conduct archaeological surveys of hundreds of square kilometres of geography in one go have led to masses of data being captured. Equally, the digitisation of historical archives and associated documents has meant that now more than ever there are extremely rich resources of data about the near and distant past available to those concerned with increasing understanding of the past and protecting it for the future. But the challenge of ‘Big Data’ is how to navigate it without drowning. Here, the ‘many hands’ are invaluable.

This session will look at the various heritage projects within the Chilterns AONB that are reliant on the valuable and skilled contributions of Citizen Scientists

14.50 - 15.50 Inspiring the next generation

Session chair: John Shaw (Director, Chiltern Rangers)

Ever wondered who will be tracking the changes to our wildlife and recording our heritage when we hang up our binoculars for the final time. Look across social media and there is a growing number of incredibly passionate, skilled and dedicated young people sharing their records, helping each other develop their ID skills, taking on surveys and making a huge impact.

Who are these young people, what inspires them, how do they see the future of Citizen Science and how do we give them a platform to put their mark on recording?

This session introduces you to a panel of inspirational young people, what they do, why they do it, what inspired them - helping us to see a future for Citizen Science through their eyes. A thought provoking and inspiring session to close the day and help us look to the future.

15:50-16:00- Closing remarks, Elaine King, CEO, Chilterns Conservation Board

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Register now to join us for an amazing and educational celebration of citizen science in the Chilterns and our very own Chilterns Champions.