Publication date: 20th August 2025

 

ARC's Hop Spots Project Manager, Owain Masters, shares how the team have been making plans and building connections ready to inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Hop Spots is a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project in its Development Phase. This means the Hop Spots team at ARC are in the process of designing the full project and setting everything up so that, when the Delivery Phase comes around, we are ready to jump into a locally, regionally and nationally impactful project for young people, local communities and amphibian and reptile species.

As Hop Spots evolves, we’ve been hitting the road - meeting partners, exploring habitats, and co-designing a programme that will connect young people with the wild world of amphibians and reptiles. The Hop Spots project's delivery is focussed around three key regions - Merseyside, East Anglia, and Dorset and the surrounds - each with its own unique habitats, communities, and conservation priorities. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to in each area and why these places are so important to the project.

🌊 Merseyside: Dunes, Discovery, and a Shared Vision

The Merseyside coastline is vitally important herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) habitat, home to ‘dune race’ sand lizards and natterjack toads, both European protected species. Earlier in the summer ARC spent a couple of inspiring days in Merseyside with our lead partners at Green Sefton, part of Sefton Council. The Green Sefton team are deeply embedded in the local landscape and community and, thankfully, they’ve welcomed Hop Spots with open arms.

Together, we explored the stunning dune habitats that surround the centre, we've met with local educators and community groups, and began shaping a shared vision for the project. Ainsdale Discovery Centre will serve as our local HQ, hosting an in-situ staff member and providing a base for events, lessons, and habitat work.

What’s emerging is a local education and events programme that highlights the amazing wildlife of the area whilst also playing an active role in reducing disturbance to the local species through carefully workshopped messaging.

🦎 East Anglia: From Pool Frogs to Primary Schools

Our next stop was Norfolk, where we’ve been working closely with the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) - our lead partner for the region. ZSEA’s mission to preserve wild and native species aligns perfectly with Hop Spots, and their team at Banham Zoo has been incredibly welcoming and enthusiastic.

East Anglia is a hotspot for herpetofauna, with unique habitats and species like the northern pool frog, which ARC and ZSEA are already working together on to reintroduce. Now, through Hop Spots, we’re expanding that collaboration into education.

During our visit, we toured Banham Zoo, explored their current education programmes, and mapped out how our future Hop Spots Education Officer - who will be based at the zoo - can enhance the offer. From species-focused sessions to green careers outreach and herpetofauna training, we’re building something that will inspire and inform whilst aligning to local needs.

ZSEA’s reach into hundreds of schools means we can connect with a wide and diverse audience, and their accessible facilities make them a perfect venue for inclusive engagement.

🌿 Dorset and the Surrounds: Building on a Strong Foundation

Back in Dorset, Hop Spots is reconnecting with a network of partners built during ARC’s previous education work in the region, including the Snakes in the Heather project. Although the Children and Young Person Nature Network in the BCP area has been on pause, the appetite for collaboration remains strong.

Partners like the National Trust, Parks Foundation and Dorset Heaths Partnership have expressed continued interest in working together. We are also thrilled to be partnering with Forestry England, who have offered the New Forest Reptile Centre as a delivery site for native species education. With its accessible facilities and the opportunity to learn about native species (that are often quite cryptic) close-up, the centre will be a vital hub for outreach and education.

To summarise, each of our three delivery areas - Merseyside, East Anglia, and Dorset—offers something special:

Ecological importance: All three regions support key habitats for amphibians and reptiles.

Strong local networks: We’re building on existing relationships with trusted partners.

Accessible venues: From Banham Zoo to the New Forest Reptile Centre, our delivery sites are designed to welcome everyone, including underrepresented groups.

In each area the species present are impacted and shaped by people in both negative and positive ways. By embedding staff in these regions and co-designing our programmes with local partners, we’re ensuring that Hop Spots is impactful at local, regional and national scales. Locally, we'll be delivering lessons, events, campaigns and supporting habitat management - all involving young people in each region. Nationally, we will be sharing the education resources we produce for Hop Spots via teacher networks and webpages, furthering chances for England’s young people to learn about our amphibian and reptile species.

What’s Next?

As we continue through the Development Phase, we’re refining our plans, raising match funding, and preparing to bring Hop Spots to life. Whether it’s through school sessions, community events, or habitat management, our goal is simple: to inspire the next generation of conservationists and give them the tools to take action for native species.

We’re incredibly grateful to all our partners and supporters so far - and we can’t wait to share more as the project continues to grow.

 

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Hop Spots is made possible thanks to National Lottery Players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which champions heritage and environmental projects across the UK