Volunteer to monitor wildlife through ad hoc recording and long-term monitoring projects.
We need volunteers to monitor wildlife to understand how the variety and number of plants and animals is changing in Bristol.
We're introducing changes to how we manage our parks and green spaces for the benefit of nature. Information from wildlife surveys will help us understand if these changes are having a positive impact across the city.
You can take part in wildlife monitoring:
- any time you're in a park by doing ad hoc recording
- as part of a long-term monitoring scheme that could take several years
How to work with us
You can monitor wildlife as a Bristol City Council lead volunteer wildlife recorder, on your own, or with an external group.
- Volunteer with us as a Lead Wildlife Recorder (a requirement if leading groups, unless you're an external group working under your own insurance):
- view the pdf Lead Wildlife Recorder job description(121 KB) to find out more about the role
- apply to be a Lead Wildlife Recorder
- To record wildlife on your own, follow the pdf individual volunteering guidelines(198 KB) to help keep yourself and others safe. You'll not be covered under Bristol City Council's personal accident insurance unless you're a trained volunteer lead and have submitted a risk assessment to the relevant Parks Volunteer Manager.
- If you're an organisation or group looking to carry out wildlife surveys but working under your own insurance and risk assessments, fill out the document external wildlife surveys form(21 KB) to get permission to proceed.
You'll need permission to leave any wildlife monitoring equipment on site.
Ad hoc wildlife recording
You can record wildlife any time you're in a park through an app such as iNaturalist, or you can send in records directly to the local environmental records centre.
Send as many details of the record as you can, including photos where possible.
Long-term monitoring
Long-term monitoring of wildlife, using a fixed survey method and location, can give us the most valuable insights into changes in wildlife populations and to track the state of nature in Bristol over time.
Take part in a long-term study of wildlife in the west of England
Find out how you can take part in a long-term study of wildlife in the west of England. We can help you set up a new monitoring scheme in your local park or green space, and provide equipment for loan. Email us at nature.parks@bristol.gov.uk.
There's already work underway to use the data from these recording schemes to review wildlife trends at a local and regional scale, including in the State of Nature in the West of England report. An update for this report is set to be published in June 2026.
Register your interest to take part in the West of England Wildlife Index
The West of England Wildlife Index is establishing a yearly count of plants and animals at 20 sites across the region, including 5 within Bristol. This provides an opportunity to get involved in monitoring surveys for:
- bees
- butterflies
- plants
- wetland birds
Register your interest to take part in the West of England Wildlife Index.
Contact us
For help with setting up wildlife surveys and to share your findings, email nature.parks@bristol.gov.uk.