about
Introducing OPAL Yorkshire and Humber
Hello!
As this is my first blog post, I thought it best to start with introductions. I'm Sarah, the Community Scientist for OPAL Yorkshire and Humber, which means it's my job to link together scientists and the public.
This is a photo of the team. Left to right we have:
Piran White, who supervises Sal (far right) on her PhD
Carolyn Snell, who leads the project with Mike Ashmore (who isn't pictured - somehow he always manages to avoid photos!)
Steve Cinderby, who is our mapping expert
Me, Sarah West, Community Scientist for the region, sporting some lovely pink wellies
Sal, who is doing her PhD on OPAL, pictured here with her dog Spider.
This photo was taken at an event at Chapmans Pond. This free fishing lake is in Dringhouses, York, and is run by the Friends of Chapmans Pond. We had an open day in August with pond-dipping, minibeast hunting, face-painting, dragonfly hat making (courtesy of BTCV - see their website at www2.btcv.org.uk/display/yorkyouth) and composting advice from the wonderful York Rotters (www.stnicksfields.org.uk/york-rotters.php.) It was such a success that we plan to make it an annual event!
There will be lots of OPAL activites happening across the region as the weather warms up, so keep an eye on our regional website www.sei.se/opal for details!
- OPAL Yorkshire and the Humber
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About OPAL
Wildlife presenter Steve Leonard talks about OPAL and how it will help
The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network is an exciting new initiative that is open to anyone with an interest in nature.
We aim to create and inspire a new generation of nature-lovers by getting people to explore, study, enjoy and protect their local environment. In 2007 OPAL received a grant of £11.75million from the Big Lottery Fund.
How are we doing this?
OPAL is developing a wide range of local and national programmes to encourage people from all backgrounds to get back in touch with nature. The project will also generate valuable scientific data concerning the state of our environment.
By bringing scientists, amateur-experts, local interest groups and the public closer together, lasting relationships will be formed and environmental issues of local and global relevance explored.
The OPAL project
OPAL began in 2007 and will run until the end of 2012. The five year programme will bring scientists and the public closer together, allowing environmental issues to be explored which have both local and global relevance.
A total of 15 partners are working together to deliver a total of 31 projects. The entire OPAL portfolio is headed by Imperial College, London.
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local lake or pond? Identify the invertebrates that live there to find out.
Join in the OPAL earthworm survey
Look for earthworms and help scientists with valuable research.
Join in the OPAL air survey
Investigate lichens on trees and find out about local air pollution.
Take part in an OPAL event near you
From pond-dipping and bat walks to training courses and surveys, find out about local activities and events.