This summer, the UK National Parks are challenging everyone to become scientists and learn more about the wildlife on their doorstep. Wherever you live, we are all surrounded by nature, and we want to know all about you can see in your local green space, and, when it is safe to do so, what you can spot in the National Park. You don’t need to know what you are looking at as the app and the community using it will help you identify species.

It’s really simple to get involved:

1. Download the iNaturalist app to your mobile device, or use the iNaturalist website, create an account, and sign-up to the National Parks UK Look Wild project.
2. Be outside.
3. Take photos of any plants, insects or animals that you find interesting. You can also record sounds and upload those too. Photos need to capture as much detail as possible without disturbing what you’re photographing.
4. Upload the photos to the app with details of where and when you saw it. The app will then help you identify what you have seen, and this will be confirmed by the community on iNaturalist.

All observations are really important, no matter how small or large, and help us understand wildlife on local and national levels and will inform future conservation work. It’s fun for families and a good introduction to volunteering. Happy photographing and posting!

Useful Tips

Younger wildlife spotters can use the Seek app which has wildlife challenges for you to complete and doesn't require  an account.

If you are already good at identification you could help us improve the quality of the data recorded so it can be shared with the biological records centre. Contact us for more details.

If you like doing this, organisations like Butterfly Conservation and the British Dragonfly Society have their own apps which record more information so you can take part in more specialist recording projects

Before you start your adventure always remember to check the weather forecast and ensure you are equipped with appropriate clothing and footwear!