Some new research from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) suggests that getting involved in “citizen science” out in the natural world can boost the sense of well-being of volunteers taking part.
The CEH scientists studied the effects of citizen science projects on 500 participants with an average age of 52. They found that as well as gathering useful data on such things as beetle counts or mapping ancient trees, the volunteers felt significantly happier afterwards and closer to nature.
One project involved participants counting pollinating insects on a patch of plants, distinguishing between bumble bees, wasps, hoverflies, solitary bees and beetles etc. This activity had a direct and positive sense of greater appreciation for the natural world. As one volunteer said “It reminded me that small things can make a big difference to my mood”.
There is a really interesting citizen science project has been going on recently in Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. As part of the grant which the Friends were given to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Groundwork South has been doing work on harvest mice in the Reserve.
The Mammal Society were invited to the Reserve to deliver training workshop with volunteers for a harvest mouse survey. The group then went out and conducted Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve’s first harvest mouse survey. Six nests were found!
Since then another training session has taken place and a further 4 surveys led by Jill Tyson, Groundwork’s Conservation & Volunteering Officer. A total of 32 nests have been found so far, which is great news as harvest mice are a threatened species with a declining population. Not only has this experience given volunteers new skills and an active role in the conservation in the park, the records will be submitted to the Mammal Society and will influence future conservation efforts for this species. The volunteers enjoyed the experience and are keen to continue surveying in the future.