South West - local nature and wildlife activities
Explore the diversity of nature in the South West
From Exmoor and Dartmoor National Park to the beautiful Cornish and Dorset coasts, there is a rich variety of habitats and wildlife to be seen in the South West.
There are also numerous woodlands and parks in our cities that are filled with interesting and important wildlife.
Discover your local environment with OPAL
Take part in an OPAL survey
Learn more about soils, water, lichens and climate, and contribute to valuable research with our OPAL surveys.
For support, advice and survey packs contact alison.smith@plymouth.ac.uk.
Join in an OPAL event or activity
From identification workshops to fun family days out, we run a range of activities that you can get involved in. Get in touch to find out more.
Tailored activities for your group or school
We can organise an event specifically for your group.
See photos from previous OPAL events.Previous events include survey days, pond dipping, nature trails and minibeast hunts. Contact alison.smith@plymouth.ac.uk.
Help with one of our research projects
Grassland surveys
We need your help to investigate species diversity in grassland habitats. No previous experience is required and you'll learn basic survey and identification skills.
Botanical teaching methods
We're running free plant identification workshops across the region. We'll be using different teaching methods for each plant group to assess which method is the most successful for botanical teaching.
If you are interested in taking part in a grassland survey or ID workshop, contact alison.smith@plymouth.ac.uk.
Enter our Plymouth Wildlife and Nature Photography Competition
We're looking for budding photographers of all ages to send in their favourite wildlife photos taken in Plymouth. Winners will receive a high quality canvas print and their photo will be displayed at a Plymouth University exhibition.
Watch the OPAL South West team in action and find out about the scope of their work
Upcoming events
Tue 14 February - OPAL Explore Nature sessions, Woodland Wood, Honicknowle (off Ringmore Way), 12.00-16.00
Discover wildlife in your local woods and take part in the Plymouth Wildlife and Nature Photo Competition.
Wed 15 February - OPAL Explore Nature sessions, Ham Woods, Ham (off Tewkesbury Close), 12.00-16.00
Discover wildlife in your local woods and take part in the Plymouth Wildlife and Nature Photo Competition.
Thurs 16 February - OPAL Explore Nature sessions, Southway Valley Local Nature Reserve (off Pendeen Crescent), 12.00-16.00
Discover wildlife in your local woods and take part in the Plymouth Wildlife and Nature Photo Competition.
Sat 3 March - Plymouth Insect Film Festival, Plymouth University, Roland Levinsky Building, open 11.00, last film 20.30
Includes talks, films and interactive displays.
Research results - Restoring woodland in Dartmoor National Park
OPAL has worked with conservation group, Moor Trees to study the habitat and ground flora of newly planted woodlands. Learn more in our summary report (PDF, 6MB).
Contact us
alison.smith@plymouth.ac.uk
OPAL South West is led by the University of Plymouth
South West partners: Bristol Natural History Consortium, BTCV, Devon Bat Group, Diggin’ it, Moor Trees, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Museum, Tamar Valley AONB
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