Lockdown To Earth

People urged to be ‘citizen scientists’ & record wildlife

- Ailbhe Daly

Irish people are being urged to get involved with nature and become a citizen scientist.

The National Biodiversity Data Centre says anyone can reconnect with wildlife whatever their level of experience.

Ben Malone of Biodiversity Ireland told the Irish Mirror: “The current crisis is impacting on mental and physical health.

“However, depending on how each individual has been impacted by the crisis, one potential positive that might have come out of this ‘pause’ has been the opportunity to test out new hobbies, to explore new interests or to reconnect with old pastimes.

“One option is to engage with, or reconnect with, wildlife – either right outside the backdoor or anywhere within 5km of your home when you can get outside.

“Recording your sightings online, of anything from birds to bees and butterflies to plants, with the National Biodiversity Data Centre is a way of making your brief observations of nature permanent.