Finding Nature’s Footprints supported communities to run their own wildlife surveying and monitoring projects in their local areas by connecting people, providing training, and supplying the necessary resources and survey equipment. The project drew on the most effective citizen science schemes to ensure that the data collected was submitted to the appropriate organisations and helped to inform decision-making. Examples included the National Plant Monitoring Scheme, the National Dormouse Footprint Tunnel Survey, the National Moth Recording Scheme, and the National Reptile Survey, among others. It is important that Finding Nature’s Footprints works with the interests of local communities so if you are interested in continuing to monitoring a particular aspect of wildlife please get in touch [email protected]
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre is part of a national network of ‘not for profit’ Local Environmental Records Centres in the UK. They collect, manage and make available over 6.8 million validated and verified wildlife records which are updated by 2,000-5,000 records a month. They also collect and manage data on wildlife habitats and geological sites, and lead on the County Wildlife Sites program for the county. They played a key role within the project’s survey aims; as data was collected within local areas, this information was passed on to them to contribute to national records.
BioBlitz 1
In June 2023 the projects first BioBlitz took place with the rangers on Northam Burrows Country park. Press about the 24+hour survey can be seen here. Organised public events including night and daytime rock pooling, mud dipping, freshwater invertebrate sampling, moth and small mammal trapping. The event exceeded all expectations with a total of 269 different species recorded, of which 189 were new records to Northam Burrows. Overall, this included 64 different moth species, 20 species of birds and 103 species of different plants.
BioBlitz 2
The Ilfracombe BioBlitz and Festival of Nature, led by the North Devon Coast National Landscape’s Finding Nature’s Footprints team in June, brought together 280 members of the public over a weekend to record more than 300 wildlife species across the town. Activities included rock pooling, minibeast hunting, freshwater sampling, moth trapping and bat detecting at sites such as Hillsborough, Hele Bay, Capstone and Bicclescombe Park, while the BioBlitz hub hosted local conservation organisations, creative displays, and fossils—creating a lively celebration of Ilfracombe’s natural heritage.
BioBlitz 3
Atlantic Academy’s BioBlitz 2025 engaged students and the local community in exploring the biodiversity of the school grounds and nearby coastal habitats. Around 300 Year 7 students took part in hands-on activities in a their activities week, while over 70 public participants joined surveys across land and coast at the weekend. Together, they recorded around 270 species, with highlights including moth trapping and the discovery of a spider crab mid-moult in a rockpool.
Camera Traps
We have been working with communities and landowners to survey local wildlife. Camera traps have been great for taking a look at what is about when people are not. Through the project we have a collection of cameras available so if you know a good spot get in touch. We can show you how they work and some things to consider when camera trapping as well.
Find out more
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a fantastic way for everyone to learn more about their local wildlife, connect with other nature enthusiasts and contribute to our understanding of biodiversity.
Hartland Nature Society
In Hartland there is a recently established nature group called Hartland Nature Society. They have successfully gathered interested individuals within the parish who have come together to help record and monitor the wildlife they have in their area.
Ilfracombe Wildlife
Find out about the series of surveys and workshops we are running in around Ilfracombe!
The Coast
North Devon has an amazing rocky shore where you can find an array of marine life nestled under rocks and amongst the seaweed.