17 February 2026

We are pleased to share a recently published paper titled Increasing Inclusivity in Biological Recording in the UK by Rachel Pateman, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute.

We are proud to have contributed to this important work, with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation cited within the paper. It is encouraging to see the role of specialist conservation organisations recognised in discussions around widening participation in biological recording.

Photo: EyeEm Mobile GmbH / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In June 2024, representatives from eight UK organizations responsible for coordinating and supporting volunteer biological recording took part in a workshop, during which they shared insights from initiatives and actions these organizations had taken to make their volunteer recording more inclusive.

Embedding of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at an institutional level was seen as foundational for increasing inclusivity in biological recording, as was building understanding of the diversity and experiences of their current participants.

A range of actions to increase inclusivity was described, from increasing the accessibility of webpages, introducing entry-level recording opportunities, and creating opportunities that appeal to a wide range of skills and interests. Working in depth with communities at a local level was seen as an effective way of engaging new audiences.

The workshop attendees then turned to discussing future priorities. Together, they identified that voices of currently underrepresented groups must be increased within the design, implementation and running of schemes and that investment in relationship-building through facilitator organizations will be vital for effective engagement of these groups. Crucial will be the co-creation of appealing opportunities with mutual benefits for both participants and data generation. Consideration should also be given to the opportunities for new ways of volunteering that will arise from technological advances in biological recording.

Increasing inclusivity will increase benefits for participants and organizations, enhance data for science and decision-making and lead to greater action for nature, concluded the authors.

Read the Full Paper

To explore the research and recommendations in more detail, you can access the full paper here:

Increasing Inclusivity in Biological Recording in the UK
Stockholm Environment Institute

We welcome continued discussion around how the conservation sector can work collaboratively to make biological recording more inclusive, accessible, and representative of the communities and landscapes it serves.