A Suffolk project is leading the way in conservation, training thousands to recognise and record wildlife species at a time of concern for conservation.
The BioLinks project, originating in East Bergholt, was a five-year programme that should help shape the future as a national “blueprint” for the future.
There has been a lack of data on invertebrates, as few people know how to identify or record them, meaning conservationists struggle to understand whether species are declining and how to prevent it.
The BioLinks project trained more than 5,500 participants to identify invertebrates, including some of the UK’s most vulnerable groups such as bees and beetles.
Delivered by an environmental education charity the Field Studies Council, the project came to an end earlier this year and was made possible by a £1.2million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It resulted in more than 35,000 additional invertebrate records being submitted to the national record database.
The database is helpful in determining the status of a species, managing the future of habitats, and by researchers and organisations in conservation policy.
An independent consultancy evaluating the project hailed it as a success, suggesting it should become the “blueprint” for future initiatives.
BioLinks project manager Keiron Derek Brown said the project’s success is “hugely significant” at a time when there is much concern for declining UK species.
Mr Brown said: “This project directly addressed that need by training thousands of individuals, those with little or no previous knowledge right through to professionals in the sector who were looking to upskill.
“The more data we have, the more accurately we can determine whether a particular species is in decline.
“We really hope this project has ignited a life-long interest in invertebrate recording amongst individuals and those involved in the project will continue to use their skills to submit recordings to the national database.”
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