Latest News: Events Program Published
We have now published details of the events we have organised so far for the next 6 months. We are currently planning some winter talks for the Bristol area and these will be added to the site shortly. Click here for more details. Hope to see you at future events.
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Gloucestershire is a county rich in biodiversity and home to a wild variety of wildlife. Many groups exist to study and conserve our native fauna. But unlike many parts of the UK, Gloucestershire lacks a group dedicated to the study and conservation of our native mammal species.
We are looking to change that and are hoping to create a Gloucestershire Mammal Group. We are Mike Harvey & Mark Lumsden Both of us are keen mammal enthusiasts actively involved as volunteers on Otter and Water Vole conservation projects with the local wildlife trusts. Much good work is already under-way to study and conserve the counties mammal population. However we feel that with the help of fellow mammal enthusiasts there is so much more we could learn about our native mammals. That knowledge could then feed back into ongoing and future conservation projects.
The aims of the group would be:-
- To bring together people of all ages and experience who have a shared interest in mammals
- Encourage the study and conservation of mammals in the local area
- Conduct practical survey and monitoring programs to find out what mammals are present in the local area
- Support the work of The Mammal Society, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire Bat Group, Avon Wildlife Trust and other relevant local groups
- Raise awareness of mammals and the threats they face, through talks, events and publicity
We have called the group the Bristol and Gloucestershire Mammal Group because its broadly based around the county of Gloucestershire and the City of Bristol. Mammals don’t recognise county borders so we are not limiting ourselves to county lines. We are already looking at an Otter project based in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, so don’t be shy if you live just over the official border!
However, we can’t do anything without your help. First we need to know if there are other enthusiasts out there that would be keen to join a local mammal group, and ideally, get involved in practical survey work. You don’t need to know a lot about mammals or have experience in surveying, just have an interest in mammals and an enthusiasm to get involved in helping them. But if you do have lots of experience, or relevant professional skills, then so much the better. We are only keen amateurs so all help is greatly appreciated.
Mark has already set up our first project. He is organising a group of volunteers to undertake Otter surveys in Bristol and the surrounding areas. We will shortly be expanding that survey northwards, and are working with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to expand their Otter survey project.
If you would be interested in joining the group and / or helping out with our Otter survey then all we need you to do at this stage is register your interest by clicking on the link and filling in the form. There is no commitment on your part and we guarantee that any personal details you provide will only be used for correspondence about the mammal group. If things don’t work out then we will destroy any personal data we have received.
However we are hopeful there are many more mammal enthusiast out there that are keen to get involved in surveying and monitoring their local mammal populations. So once we have had a chance to gauge interest and work out where you all are we will be in touch.
In the mean time, we have added a forum to the website if you would like to chat about Otters, Mammals, or ideas for the Bristol and Gloucestershire Mammal Group with your fellow enthusiasts.
