Microvolunteering
Microvolunteering is the best way for people who are looking to help in short, convenient, bite-sized chunks.
Take a look at some of the microvolunteering activities you can do.
Cultural Heritage – Scheduled Monument Monitoring
Scheduled monuments are the UK’s legally-protected archaeological sites. We all have a duty to look after them since they are part of our national story and form our past, present and future.
They can range in scale from the Iron Age Hillfort at Devil’s Dyke which looks out over the weald of Sussex and Kent to the north and south to the Channel, to buried archaeological remains where nothing is visible above ground. Scheduled monuments provide a window on how people lived, fought, worshipped and shaped their environment around them across all periods of human history, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Cold War Orford Ness. In the context of environmental emergency and climate change, they are increasingly vulnerable but also hold the potential to inform us of how past societies adapted to change.
Some of the 20,000 scheduled monuments in England are well maintained and in good condition. Others have become lost from sight due to scrub invasion or damaged through cultivation, burrowing animals, erosion and the effects of climate change. In many cases we just don’t know what their condition is. This is why your help is needed.
Monument monitoring is a chance for you to support England’s heritage by reporting the condition of a scheduled monument to Historic England. In some cases, this will be the first report for a long time and so will be a vital baseline for future management. it could also help more people connect with the heritage in their local area.
How to get started
No archaeological experience is needed. There is a quick and easy-to-follow process outlined in the Level 1 Toolkit.
The monitoring process will speed up even more as you complete a few surveys or if you are monitoring a local monument you come to know well. You can find out what scheduled monuments are on your doorstep by searching the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) map .
Once you have identified a monument in your area, it’s as simple as making a visit (perhaps as part of a walk or bike ride), taking some photos and submitting them with a few comments. A few minutes of time will make a huge difference.”
iNaturalist LookWild project
The South Downs National Park is a partner of the National Parks UK LookWild project.
To take part, simply register an iNaturalist account, join the group and start submitting your National Parks species records via the app (Google Play) (App Store) or the website.
If you’re just starting out, we recommending download the Seek app (Google Play) (App Store) which uses your camera to identify species.
We are also lucky to have the City Nature Challenge which takes part every spring, involving Brighton & the Eastern South Downs.
Environmental Monitoring
For general species monitoring we recommend downloading the iRecord app for your phone.
You can submit species records whenever you like.
The records will later be confirmed by the local species expert for your area.
You can also submit your sightings via the iRecord website if you don’t have a smartphone.
- The Big Butterfly Count
Each year take 15 minutes whilst on a walk or in your garden to count the different species or how many of one species of butterfly that you can see.
- Dragon Finder App
Once a year help to identify reptiles and amphibians as well as their eggs, larvae and calls.
With this great app that gives a practical way to help conservation, surveying, data collection and interactive education; allowing you to submit your findings and help conserve reptiles and amphibians in the UK.
- Garden Moth Scheme
Take part when and where you like, if you spot a moth write down the details.
- Mammal Tracker
Throughout the year, from wherever you like, you can record mammal species in Britain to help document the baseline numbers of species and where they are located.
The app allows you to take a quick photo when out and will automatically grid reference the data, the app will also teach you about mammal identification.
- BirdTrack
BirdTrack provides you the facilities to observe, store and manage your own personal records of the migration and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland as well as them being able to be used at an international scale.
You can take part in BirdTrack as and when you want.
- The beautiful burial ground project
Research and survey the biodiversity and heritage of your local burial ground, allowing to highlight sites worthy of recognition as local wildlife sites.
Green Action
- 2 Minute Clean
Beach clean, litter pick or path clean, take part when out and about on a dog walk or on the way to work and help reduce the amount of litter dropped.
After your 2 minute clean try and replace any items you may have collected at home with recyclable alternatives.
Recreation
- Rights of Way Monitoring
If you’re out walking in Hampshire, West or East Sussex help monitor the rights of way and if you see a bridge with missing deck planks, broken stiles, fallen tree and damaged or missing signs report the issue.