The Great Yorkshire Creature Count is back – take part in the citizen science project this weekend

From midday on Saturday, June 19 to midday on Sunday, June 20, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is challenging folk in every corner of Yorkshire to count and record the wildlife that lives in and around our homes, as the Great Yorkshire Creature Count returns for a second year.

The trust wants to know what you see and where you see it! The Great Yorkshire Creature Count takes place over 24 hours, and you can participate for as long as you like, at whatever time you like. Whether you’re getting up with the dawn chorus, camping out with the bats, or just taking some time in the afternoon sun, you can join the Great Yorkshire Creature Count in a way that suits you.

Not only is the Great Yorkshire Creature Count fun for young and old alike, but it also provides valuable data for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to help them gauge the state of nature in Yorkshire.

A citizen science project of this scale paints a picture of wildlife in Yorkshire and highlights the vital role our own local patches of green play in helping nature to recover.

Rachael Bice, CEO for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Did you know that, collectively, our own outside spaces account for more of the UK’s green space than all the nature reserves combined? Creating a wilder future for Yorkshire starts at home – literally on our doorsteps!”

“Each generation is inheriting a world more devoid of nature than the last, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

“Our gardens, windowsills, balconies and small spaces have the power to create an intricate mosaic of habitats, capable of supporting a huge array of wildlife. If each of us takes responsibility for the nature on our doorstep, we can create a Yorkshire where wildlife flourishes and people are more connected to the natural world around them.”

People can sign up and find everything you need to take part in the Great Yorkshire Creature Count 2021 at ywt.org.uk.