The Big Count 2023, an annual Somerset event organised by the Somerset Wildlife Trust, is back with an exciting opportunity for locals to contribute as citizen scientists. This year, with a significant sponsorship from Southern Co-op, the event is expected to draw even more wildlife enthusiasts from around the county.

The focus of this dynamic event is community engagement and the enjoyment of Somerset's rich wildlife. From June 16th to June 25th, participants are encouraged to venture into their gardens, local parks, and communities to record the diverse species they encounter.

Southern Co-op's support this year strengthens the event's purpose of appreciating and understanding Somerset's natural habitats. By collecting data about our native wildlife, participants can play an important role in informing strategies to prevent species decline.

Southern Co-op and the Somerset Wildlife Trust invite participants to document their wildlife encounters using the user-friendly iNaturalist citizen science platform. All sightings, from the elusive spiders and darting dragonflies to the vibrant butterflies and charming goldfinches, are welcome. This inclusive event welcomes families, friends, schools, and community groups to participate, creating a real-time visual representation of Somerset's biodiversity.

A free downloadable pack full of helpful tips and information is available on the Somerset Wildlife Trust website, provided to assist participants in becoming proficient wildlife spotters.

The Big Count 2023 is a part of the larger Great Somerset Wildlife Count initiative, a collaborative effort between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC). With an impressive record of over 2.5 million species, the SERC nonetheless has data gaps that The Big Count seeks to fill.

Simon Clarke, Head of Nature Recovery at Somerset Wildlife Trust, eagerly anticipates this year's event. "We logged nearly 1,000 species records during The Big Count 2022," he said, "We're aiming for record-breaking participation this year. It's a fun and fulfilling way to connect with nature, and the more eyes we have on the lookout, the more we can achieve."

Gemma Lacey, Southern Co-op's Director for Sustainability and Communications, shares Clarke's enthusiasm. "The Big Count is a wonderful way to discover the magic of nature," she said. "As we join forces with Somerset Wildlife Trust, we look forward to filling the data gaps and ensuring informed decisions are made for the benefit of our natural environment."

Ready to be a part of the Big Count 2023?

1. Visit www.somersetwildlife.org/bigcount2023 and download your FREE digital wildlife discovery pack.

2. Register for an iNaturalist account at www.inaturalist.org or via the iNaturalist or Seek app.

3. Start counting and recording your discoveries, and encourage others to participate.

4. Celebrate – you've made a valuable contribution to understanding Somerset's wildlife trends!

Remember to tag @SomersetWT and @somersetERC in your social updates and use the hashtag #BigCount2023. Happy counting!