OPAL Water scientists need your help to research metal pollution in lakes and ponds.
Learn new skills, have fun, and help scientists in important research
Join in the OPAL air survey and help scientists with valuable air pollution research.
Download a free survey pack and get involved today.
OPAL has funded the development of five National Centres, each with a particular research focus. They aim to increase our knowledge and understanding of our environment.
The OPAL Soil Centre aims to improve our knowledge of the world beneath us. How polluted is our soil? Which earthworms live in which soil types?
The soil and earthworm survey is one way our soil team hope to investigate these questions, and you can help.
How does air pollution affect our plants and natural environment?
The OPAL Air Centre has been set up to explore the impact of air pollution by exposing plants to pollutants in controlled conditions.
Visit the Air Centre on an open day to learn all about the varied research projects and discover why air pollution is such an important global issue.
Lakes and ponds provide a home for so many fascinating creatures, but pollution is an increasing problem.
The OPAL water team are monitoring ponds and lakes throughout England to investigate the levels of pollution and study the effects on the animals that live there.
The UK is home to a fascinating range of plants and animals, and there is so much to learn about every one of them.
The OPAL biodiversity team, based at the Open University (OU), are running projects to raise our awareness of UK biodiversity. One of these projects is the iSpot website - an online nature community where people can share photos and help each other identify wildlife.
Climate change is perhaps the most pressing environmental issue today. But how exactly is the climate changing in Britain? And what can we do about it?
The OPAL climate team have installed weather stations throughout London to analyse and raise awareness of current weather patterns. An educational website will provide up-to-date information and encourage people to get involved.
Follow our blogs to get an inside look at OPAL. Be the first to know what's happening near you, learn about Open Air Laboratories research and talk to our community scientists.
"Yesterday I saw something I'd never seen before....a sea hare...found it whilst running a marine mollusc course "
Sarah West’s blog, OPAL Yorkshire and Humber
"I have been extremely busy over the last few months...these two videos explain what I have been doing"
Ed Tripp’s blog, OPAL East Midlands
"A big part of my work on OPAL is supporting all sorts of different wildlife groups including natural history societies and recording schemes"
Lucy Carter's blog, Natural History Museum
As an OPAL user you can enter your survey results online and comment on our news stories and blogs. We will also be introducing many exciting features to this site for you to share and discuss your experiences.
Registering is quick and easy, all you need is an email address.
OPAL is a partnership initiative celebrating biodiversity, environmental quality and people’s engagement with nature.
Become a pollution buster, create your own wormery and play online games such as earthworm frenzy.
Visit the OPAL kids zone for games, activity sheets and competitions.
| 13 | Maker Faire, Newcastle Life Science Centre, NewcastleAll Day |
| 13 | Biodiversity and air pollution at Butser Hill Butser Hill NNR, HampshireAll Day |
| 13 | Discovery Day at the National Railway Museum National Railway Museum, YorkAll Day |
| 14 | Bird walk in Gheluvelt Park Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne Road, Worcester10:00 - 12:00 |
| 14 | Trees and lichens in Museum Gardens Yorkshire Museum Gardens, York13:30 - 16:00 |
Respect, protect and enjoy our environmentWherever you take part in OPAL activities, please follow the Countryside Code.
Did you know...An earthworm can eat the equivalent of 30% of its own body weight per day.
The OPAL partnership is led by Imperial College London
Supported by the
Big Lottery Fund
