Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC)

It’s International Day for Biological Diversity! 🌿   This year’s theme, “Acting locally for global impact,” is a reminder that nature recovery starts with all of us.   Every wildlife record, whether it is a bee in your garden, a bird on your walk, or a plant you have spotted, helps build a bigger picture. These local observations provide vital evidence to help protect and restore biodiversity.   📝 Your records matter. They contribute not just locally, but to national and global understanding of nature. This #BiodiversityDay, why not leave your mark by recording what you see? https://lnkd.in/eN-HpG9e   #LocalAction #ForNature #NatureRecovery

The results are in for this year’s #CityNatureChallenge  Over just four days, people around the world came together to record over 3 million wildlife observations using iNaturalist and our local effort was part of that incredible global picture. Here in the TVERC area, in Berkshire and Oxfordshire: 🦋3,512 observations  🌱1135 species  👥274 observers 🔍504 identifiers A huge thank you to everyone who participated! It’s been brilliant to see so many people getting involved, from experienced recorders to those trying iNaturalist for the first time.  Your observations don’t just add to a worldwide total; they help create a valuable snapshot of the wildlife living across our towns, parks and countryside. Every record makes a difference, and it’s inspiring to see how this challenge continues to grow each year, with more people taking part and more wildlife being recorded and identified. Although the City Nature Challenge is over, recording doesn’t stop here! You can keep using iNaturalist.org all year round to record and discover wildlife. We would love to see what else you can find this summer! Let us know if you will continue recording? #CommunityScience #GetRecording #CNC2026 #iNaturalist

🌿 A lovely morning out at Rushy Common and Tar Lakes last week with Lower Windrush Valley Project These former sand and gravel quarries were restored and opened to the public in 2011. We started with a chorus of birdsong – Cetti’s Warbler, Wren and Chaffinch, with more species around the lake and swifts, swallows and martins overhead. We explored wetland plants, spotted insects, and enjoyed highlights like a calling Cuckoo, Red Kite and Oystercatchers in action. Why not join us at our next event at Dean Common with Wychwood Forest Trust on Wednesday 3 June 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6bHRcKJ

We’re proud to be part of the Waste Innovation Station Headquarters (WISH) Partnership, helping to connect our community to nature and to each other while building the skills needed to care for our local environment. Through activities such as our Noticing Nature events and support for citizen science projects like the City Nature Challenge, we’re helping people notice and value the wildlife in their everyday surroundings.

🌿 It’s the final day of the City Nature Challenge! We enjoyed another lovely Noticing Nature morning today together with Wild Oxfordshire at BBOWT’s Iffley Meadows, bringing people together to connect with nature and contribute valuable wildlife records. Julie Kerans helped participants get to grips with grass like plants, and of course we couldn’t miss spotting Oxfordshire’s county plant, the beautiful Snake’s head fritillary. Alongside this, we heard muntjac calling, caught glimpses of butterflies such as a peacock, and enjoyed plenty of birdsong  ⏰ There’s still time to take part - the #CityNatureChallenge runs until midnight tonight. 📱 By recording sightings (and sounds) on iNaturalist, everyone can play a part in strengthening the evidence base that supports nature recovery across Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

🌿 A look back at Day 1 of #CityNatureChallenge and our first Noticing Nature events at Aston’s Eyot & the Kidney. We enjoyed a relaxed spring walk led by Ruth from Friends of Aston's Eyot spotting a newt in the new ponds, recording Ramsons and Red Campion, and finishing with sunshine‑loving butterflies including Orange-tips, Holly Blues, Brimstones and Peacocks. The sun is shining again today, so why not get involved in the City Nature Challenge by recording what you see using iNaturalist https://lnkd.in/eADrmEVu

🌍 Happy #EarthDay  To protect and restore nature, we need to know what's out there! Where species and habitats are, where they’ve been lost and where there are opportunities for recovery. For this, we rely on your wildlife sightings. In just a couple of days we will be taking part in the world's largest community science event, the #CityNatureChallenge, to record the incredible wildlife in both our counties. 🌿Grab your smartphone, download the free iNaturalist.org app, and join us from 24-27 April! It’s easy, fun, and you don’t need to be an expert! 🔗 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eADrmEVu 📷Angus McDonald

We spent a great morning yesterday at the Biological Recording Virtual Symposium hosted by the Biological Recording Company Association of Local Environmental Records Centres Laura Doughty and Nicolette Bell spoke about how TVERC data has been used to map Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) for Berkshire and Oxfordshire, demonstrating how robust local data can directly support evidence‑based nature recovery planning. It was also great to hear from speakers across the sector, including Butterfly Conservation on new butterfly and moth alert maps, Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC on the role of LERCs in planning, and Keiron Derek Brown on strengthening data quality through improved tools, verification, and training. A really inspiring event showcasing the power of high‑quality biological data in decision‑making. 🌱📊 If you’re interested in how TVERC data and services can support your work, feel free to get in touch, tverc@oxfordshire.gov.uk

𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘞𝘦𝘥 15 𝘈𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘭 2026 | 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘶𝘮 | 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 | £1-£30 It's your last chance to book on the Biological Recording Virtual Symposium 2026, featuring four 'Data For Smarter Decision' presentations:  • Planning for Nature: Biodiversity Data in the Planning Process with Elina Foui (Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC)  • Butterfly and Moth Alert Maps: Mobilising National Data for Decision-making with Chloë Smith (Butterfly Conservation)  • Leveraging LERC Data to Map Berkshire and Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategies with Dr Laura Doughty & Nicolette Bell (Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC))  • Raising the Standard: Improving Data Quality Through Practical Guidance and Tools with Keiron Brown (Biological Recording Company) Learn more and book: https://lnkd.in/eBAbdsAG

City Nature Challenge is back! 🐝🌿 From 24–27 April 2026, join thousands of people around the world recording wildlife where they live. Whether it’s a butterfly in your garden, a bird in the park, or a wildflower on your doorstep, every photo you upload using the free iNaturalist app helps build essential records for wildlife conservation. We’re also running Noticing Nature sessions at Iffley Meadows and Aston’s Eyot & the Kidneys, so come along, explore these special sites and record what you discover. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eADrmEVu