RESEARCH SURVEYS
YOUR OPINIONS CAN HELP WILDLIFE
Fancy doing your bit for wildlife? Why not help wildlife researchers and take part in their surveys? It's free to do, and your
answers really matter.
Great annual fish count
The Great Annual Fish Count (GAFC) is a REEF project which encourages divers and snorkelers to become citizen scientists by conducting fish surveys.
This helps researchers in their ongoing monitoring of the oceans, marine habitats, and fish populations. ​
Although GAFC runs every July, the data collected by REEF is needed all year round, you can take part regardless of the time of year.
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To get involved you need to become a member of REEF and join in a fish ID class (both free). Then spend your snorkelling and diving sessions making a difference by counting fish!
Bugs Matter Insects Survey
Pollinators, nature's pest controllers, and food for birds and other animals, all bugs are important. Insect populations serve as indicators of environmental health including as a measure of the success of conservation work.
The Bugs Matter citizen science survey counts squashed bugs on vehicle number plates to get an understanding of insect abundance.
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The previous Bugs Matter survey showed 63% fewer bugs in the UK (between 2021 and 2024), consistent with widely reported declining trends in insect populations across the world.
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Animal culling however is not only a cruel practice, but is rarely effective. Choosing compassionate conservation methods such as using noise deterrents, reducing available food, and using fences to prevent animals from entering certain areas is not only kinder, but also in many cases it’s more effective.
Verify Humanity is researching human-wildlife conflict. Through our work, we are identifying wildlife issues and, using compassionate conservation techniques, we are finding kind solutions.
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Please help to inform conservation by completing our short human-wildlife survey.
Human-wildlife conflict is when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative outcomes, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even animal or human life.
As human populations and demand for space grow, people and wildlife are competing for resources, thus leading to conflict.
This conflict can result in the eradication of species, as well as financial losses, and threats to health and safety, livelihoods, food security and property for humans. The problem affects both humans and animals alike.
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Sadly, human-wildlife conflict often results in humans culling the animals that are causing issues in their lives, such as destroying vegetation on farmland.
The Great Big Nature Survey
​The Wildlife Trusts are conducting the biggest survey of its kind in the UK looking into the nation’s relationship with nature and how it should be cared for.
The survey covers topics including access and barriers to nature as well as the impact nature has on personal wellbeing. It also covers the threats nature faces, the conservation and restoration of nature, and which environmental actions you may be taking.
The new hunting ban's survey
These survey results were used to create recommendations for the government which in turn supported Neil Duncan Jordan's the Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill.
Despite the Hunting Act 2004, the hunting of mammals such as fox, stag, hare and mink, with dogs, still takes place across England and Wales.
​The UK government announced a consultation on the Hunting Act 2004. In response, a network of wildlife campaigners, activists, legal professionals, academics and MPs, led by The New Hunting Ban, launched a campaign dedicated to creating a watertight ban on hunting with hounds in England and Wales. All wildlife deserves to live free from the fear and distress of being chased and killed for 'sport'. Complete The New Hunting Ban survey to help shape a real ban on the outdated and cruel practice of hunting with dogs.
NATIONAL WASTE CRIME
Irresponsible waste management has a negative impact on the environment and wildlife. It can contaminate land and water, polluting rivers and spreading disease.
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Please respond with your opinions on and experiences of illegal waste disposal, like fly-tipping and dumping, burning or mis-labelling rubbish to avoid paying to have it dealt with.
The 15 minute online survey is also intended to gather ideas on what deters people from committing a waste crime and if what the Environment Agency are currently doing about it is effective.​​
​​The Environment Agency's National Waste Crime Survey 2024-25
The Environment Agency has launched its third National Waste Crime Survey to gain a better understanding of the problem in England, calling on both industry and the public to participate.
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​Insights from this survey help shape strategies and actions to combat waste crime, measure its scale and impact, understand deterrents, gauge willingness to report such crimes, and assess the effectiveness of current efforts.
The Cumbrian White-Tailed Eagle Project
​This 15 minute questionnaire for people living in Cumbria and surrounding areas will be used to get an understanding of opinions on and potential impacts of a white-tailed eagle reintroduction.
They were widespread across the country and abundant in Cumbria once upon a time, but their numbers were reduced by loss of habitat and killing.
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Also known as Sea Eagles, they have been reintroduced to Scotland, Ireland and southern England, and are a key part of the landscape, legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 in England.
The Cumbrian White-Tailed Eagle Project has been looking into the reintroduction of Britain’s largest native bird of prey.
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A previous study suggests there is suitable habitat in Cumbria and now the project is keen to know what local communities think about bringing this bird species back.