East Midlands - local nature activities and heathland research
Help conserve our precious heathland
Join in activities throughout the East Midlands to discover more about heathland, and help protect one of the rarest habitats in the world.
Heathland in decline
Heathland is in severe decline in the UK, and this is thought to be largely due to pollution. We want to learn more about the impact of pollution and how the size of the heathland area affects its diversity and survival.
Ultimately we hope to find ways to conserve this important habitat, and you can help!
Get involved
From practical conservation tasks to reptile hunts and butterfly surveys, there are many ways that you can get involved in this project.
Come to one of our events or ask us along to your society, group or school. Get in touch to find out more.
What is heathland?
Heathland is open landscape dominated by plants such as heathers, gorse and grasses. It is home to some of Britain’s rarest and most exciting wildlife, including smooth snakes and nightjars.
OPAL East Midlands film their team exploring Oak Tree Heath in Mansfield
Follow Ed Tripp's heathland research
Scientist Ed Tripp is studying the health of heathland in the UK. Visit his project page to learn all about his work, watch videos of him in action and follow his blog.
Working with heathland wildlife
Declining heathland is a concern for many different species. We interviewed Chris Monk and Erika Hogan who are studying adder populations and lichens respectively. They talk about their work and also give tips on how to get involved in similar projects.
Contact us
opaleastmidlands@nottingham.ac.uk
Heathland resources for school field trips
The following resources can help you organise a field trip to explore the heathland. They include teachers notes, ID guides, presentations and workbooks.
Upcoming events
10 March 2012 - Science in the Park, 11.00-16.00
Location: Wollaton Hall, Nottingham
Science in the Park is a free science festival for all the family. There will be a wide range of displays and lots of hands-on science activities, including a chance to try some of the OPAL surveys. No booking is necessary, just turn up on the day!
OPAL East Midlands is led by the University of Nottingham.
East Midlands partners:
Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, The National Forest, Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, The Sherwood Forest Trust
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