Citizen Science Part 2: Urban Survey Safari

Location: Start and finish at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, The Old Ragged School, Sneinton Market, Nottingham

Join Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for a free, hands-on Urban Survey Safari, exploring hidden green spaces in the heart of Nottingham. This interactive workshop will show how simple wildlife surveys can help us better understand, protect, and advocate for urban nature.

No experience is needed – just curiosity and a willingness to explore! By learning easy and accessible survey techniques, you’ll be contributing to our understanding of urban biodiversity while developing new skills you can use in your own local green spaces.

Please note: this workshop is weather dependent. Our little critter friends tend to hide in the rain, so we will need to reschedule if the British weather doesn’t work in our favour.

What to Expect

This workshop is a follow-up to Part 1, where we explored the different apps and tools you can use to identify and record species. In this session, we’ll be putting that learning into action, taking to the streets to practice these methods in real-life green spaces.

Didn’t attend Part 1? No problem! We’ll be recapping key information and can talk you through the process on the day – it’s a welcoming session suitable for all levels.

We’ll be taking a guided walk to explore several city-centre sites, showcasing the fantastic work that different organisations are doing to create more wildlife-friendly spaces. The locations include:

• The Old Ragged School Garden (Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust)

• Planters by Nottingham College (Grow Notts and Nottingham City Council)

• Pocket Park by Nottingham College (Grow Notts)

• Bee Highways (It’s in Nottingham & GrowNotts)

• Sussex Street Planters (Nottingham City Council)

• Saint Mary’s Rest Garden, Barker Gate (Nottingham City Council)

• Green Heart (Nottingham City Council)

• Meanwhile Meadows (Conygar Development Company)

Depending on time we may not be able to visit every site, but we can provide you with details if you wish to visit afterwards.

While out, we’ll try a variety of survey methods including:

• Butterfly transects

• Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (POMS) counts

• Plant identification

• Insect identification using sweep nets

All equipment will be provided, and we’ll be on hand to guide you step-by-step. These simple citizen science techniques are ideal for anyone looking to support local wildlife – whether in community spaces, at your workplace, or even in your own backyard.

The workshop will finish back at The Old Ragged School at around 2pm, where you’ll be offered light refreshments and a chance to chat, ask questions, network and reflect on what we’ve found.

This is a free event, but spaces are limited – please book early to avoid disappointment.

Come and discover how even the most unexpected city spaces can be teeming with wildlife – and how you can be part of the movement to protect them!

Food & What to Bring

Please note: Lunch is not provided. We recommend bringing an easy-to-eat packed lunch or grabbing a bite from one of the many great cafes nearby, such as Blend or The Avenues in Sneinton Market.

If you have one, please bring:

• A smartphone (for trying out ID and survey apps – we will have a few devices available to share if not)
• We recommend downloading i-record and ObsIdentify to use on the day. You can also try using Google Lens which most phones already have installed. Dont’ worry if you don’t have a smart phone – we will have some paper guides if you prefer the good old-fashioned way!
• A notepad and pen for making notes

Why Urban Wildlife Matters 

Wildlife-rich cities aren’t just good for nature – they’re essential for people too. From improving air quality and reducing flooding to boosting our mental health, urban green spaces support thriving, healthy communities. These patches of wild – however small – provide vital habitats for pollinators, birds, and insects, acting as stepping stones that help wildlife move through the city. 

By learning how to identify and record species, you’re helping to build a better picture of the nature we have, so we can protect and enhance it for the future. 

Butterfly Awareness Day 

This event takes place on Butterfly Awareness Day, celebrated annually on the first Saturday of June. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of butterflies and moths as key pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health. We’ll be putting this into practice by carrying out our own butterfly surveys and learning how to spot common species (or rare ones if we’re lucky!). 

30 Days Wild 

This workshop is part of the 30 Days Wild campaign – The Wildlife Trusts’ annual challenge to do something wild every day in June. Taking part in a community nature workshop is a brilliant way to go wild and be part of a growing movement to reconnect people with the natural world. You can find out more here: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild 

 Part of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network 

This workshop is delivered as part of the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network – a county-wide initiative to support groups and individuals taking action for nature. Whether you’re looking to rewild a community space, engage others in local conservation, or simply connect with like-minded people. As a community group, by joining the network you will have access to: 

• 1-to-1 support and advice 

• Peer-to-peer learning 

• Free networking events, workshops and resources 

• Help with amplifying your voice (through our website, social media, and press coverage) 

• Opportunities to collaborate with others 

If you’re not already a member, we’d love to welcome you! You can learn more and sign up here: www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/wilder-nottinghamshire