Cholsey citizen science and art
Following a public consultation event in autumn of 2023, Cholsey Parish Council has successfully applied to Mend the Gap for funding of a citizen science and artwork project. The Spring Line Project will see Cholsey and neighbouring villages Aston Tirrold and Aston Upthorpe collaborate to show the importance of the connectivity between these villages to both wildlife and residents.
Led by Environmental Coordinator Vicky Beardall-Richards the project will work with local experts to recruit and train would-be citizen scientists from the community, and support them to survey the special landscape that connects these villages. The data gathered will be shared with a number of national recording schemes (such as the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme – PoMS) and will contribute to scientific knowledge and understanding of the local plant and animal species. (Both Cholsey and the Astons are home to some nationally rare species such as black poplar, as well as some important chalk and wetland species).
A particular aim of the project is to engage new audiences who might not traditionally have considered volunteering for this type of work, whilst the project’s collaborative approach will reflect the cross-boundary nature of wildlife and show the importance of connected habitats.
Participatory science such as this is increasingly being viewed as an important way of gathering data on the natural world, and has been proven to positively support formal scientific processes. All the volunteers recruited will be trained in how to identify particular species and record their findings, and Mend the Gap is funding purchase of a variety of specialist surveying equipment, including bat detectors, sweep nets and binoculars.
In addition, the project will engage two local artists to create a piece of public art that reflects the project’s work and the findings of these citizen science sessions. The finished piece will be displayed in both Cholsey and Aston Tirrold Pavilions, and replicas will be made available to a number of other local organisations for display, including schools and local businesses.
Planning and preparatory work is already underway, and the project activities will be delivered during 2025.
