exhibitions
Hello from the Natural History Museum
Hi Everyone!
We are the OPAL team based at the Natural History Museum in London, and we've decided to start a blog to keep you up to date with all our activities. This photo shows three of our team (trying to identify a dragonfly!). From left to right there's John Tweddle, Lucy Carter (me) and Gill Stevens. I'm sure the other guys will put up their pictures and introduce themselves to you soon.
Here at the museum we work on quite a few different aspects of OPAL (which means we're always super busy!). We run outreach activities both in London and around the country, we support natural history societies, wildlife groups and recording schemes to get involved with the project, and we also do lots of 'behind the scenes' work for OPAL such as the media and publicity side of things and the website.
Keep checking back as I'll try to update this as often as I can with all the exciting things we've been doing. Last weekend I attended two worm-related events - a bioblitz and the World Worm Charming Championships! As soon as I sort out a good photo I'll tell you all about those....
Bye for now,
Lucy
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Natural History Museum
Bugs Count survey, exhibitions, and help for local natural history groups
The OPAL team at the Natural History History Museum does everything from organising events to developing ID guides and supporting natural history societies. The team also developed the Bugs Count survey.
Find out more about the Museum's work in the gallery below:
The Museum Projects
1. OPAL Exhibitions and community led celebrations
j.tweddle@nhm.ac.uk
OPAL organises themed exhibitions, demonstrations, training workshops, talks and other community events. A range of publicity materials display OPAL’s achievements, including a temporary exhibit within the Natural History Museum.
2. OPAL Bio-buses
j.tweddle@nhm.ac.uk
The Museum has provided a fleet of OPAL branded, low-emission vehicles so that scientists and groups taking part in OPAL projects can travel throughout their region. These vehicles will improve access to our study locations, especially for people and communities who would otherwise find it difficult to get there.
3. Supporting amateur natural history societies
lucy.carter@nhm.ac.uk
One of OPAL's key objectives is to support amateur naturalists and voluntary groups, and help more members of the public become aware of them. We are offering expertise and funding and building a countrwide network of societies.
4. The Naming of Things: OPAL Taxonomic Support Programme
lucy.carter@nhm.ac.uk
OPAL aims to open up the richness of UK biodiversity to a wider range of people, and promote a greater interest in natural history. As part of this project we are developing online and printed guides about UK plants, animals and environments - and how and why scientists study them. We are also putting local groups in touch with experts who can assist with identification where needed.
5. OPAL website
c.howard@nhm.ac.uk
The OPAL website reports news and gives details of activities from all OPAL partners. Results are collected for the six national surveys on the website and displayed in real time. The site also points to online resources and local societies so you can develop your interest in nature even further.
6. OPAL Communications Office
media@opalexplorenature.org
The Communications Office aims to raise the profile of OPAL through the planning and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy. A Communications Officer acts as a mentor for partners so they are able to make the most of media opportunities in their area. The Officer is also responsible for developing and managing the OPAL brand.