Volunteer From Home
As part of our #VolunteerFromHome we are sharing some wonderful opportunities to volunteer from home. Why? Because while many things are changing, volunteering is still a wonderful way of connecting with one another and the causes we care about.
By engaging with the #VolunteerFromHome initiative, you will be part of a group of people committed to finding different ways to give back. Different ways of connecting and giving time to causes and people we care about. All while looking after ourselves and our own wellbeing, through the enjoyment that volunteering can give us!
This is going to be BIG folks! So why not get started, with our first group of opportunities, for the nature lovers amongst us! And for everyone else, hold tight, we’re gathering a whole host of different ways you can be part of it.
Swift Survey
Bird Watch Ireland
Swifts have become a major focus of BirdWatch Ireland’s work in recent years. To assist and inform their conservation activities they carry out and coordinate a number of Swift surveys throughout the country. In addition to their own survey work, Birdwatch Ireland invites Swift sightings and nest records from citizen scientists. Records from citizen scientists are very important for informing and directing their conservation efforts, to take part in the swift surveys – click here
Note: all bird species observed can be recorded with the National Biodiversity Data Centre by clicking here
Species observed can also be recorded via their app for android or iphone.
*Note: Important Guidelines for recording during the COVID crisis.*
Photo credit: Bird Watch Ireland – Paulina Skoczylas
Spring Alive Bird Recorder
Bird Watch Ireland
Birdwatch Ireland have a lovely educational and migration-monitoring initiative which is perfect for people to contribute to from around their homes, Spring Alive. It runs in over 40 countries across Europe, Africa and Central Asia, and we’re asking you to be part of it. To take part people look or listen out for Swallows, Sand Martins, Cuckoos and Swifts during spring time, and when they see or hear them, they log it by clicking here . This is a wonderfully fun and educational activity for children, in particular, especially when they are unable to go to school, and the project website is packed with information about bird migration.
*Note: Important Guidelines for recording during the COVID crisis.*
Photo credit: Bird Watch Ireland – Artur Tabor
Backyard Biodiversity Volunteer
National Biodiversity Data Centre
Would you like to volunteer from your own backgarden? The National Biodiversity Data Centre is running a new initiative ‘Backyard Biodiversity’ to record species found in gardens. The scheme seeks to obtain sightings of 20 recognisable species that can be found in urban and rural gardens. Get started today by following this link.
Photo credit: Briege George
Bumble Bee Surveyor
National Biodiversity Data Centre
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is running a new initiative ‘Backyard Biodiversity’ to record species found in gardens. The scheme seeks to obtain sightings of 20 recognisable species that can be found in urban and rural gardens. There’s also a great opportunity to learn more about bees and the different species by taking this really interesting training
From there, you can then get started here recording all the lovely bumble bee visitors to your garden, by clicking here
Photo credit: Briege George
Butterfly Surveyor
National Biodiversity Data Centre
The Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme supports and co-ordinates a network of volunteer recorders across Ireland. Butterflies are extremely important indicators of the state of Ireland’s environment and action is urgently needed to halt their decline and restore an Irish countryside rich in butterflies. 18% of Ireland’s butterfly population is currently under threat, and this ongoing monitoring scheme allows the National Biodiversity Data Centre to objectively prioritise conservation action for already endangered species and cost-effectively prevent other species from being driven toward extinction.
Photo credit: Briege George
Be part of #SpeciesADay
National Biodiversity Data Centre
This amazing twitter campaign, asks us to take pics of different species in our gardens and within 2km of our homes and share them on social media. Share @biodatacentre with the #SpeciesADay. Time for us all to get snapping and if you need a bit of inspiration, check out this gorgeous peacock butterfly !
Photo credit: Briege George
Be a Flower-Insect Time Counter
All Ireland Pollinator Plan
Do a Flower-Insect Timed Count in your garden to add to the data being used to track changes in abundance of these vital insects. Learn more here
Photo credit: Briege George
Penguin Counter
Zooniverse
Count penguins in remote regions to Zooniverse.org understand their lives and environment. Penguins are globally loved but under threat. Why are penguin populations are in decline? Help monitor penguins and answer this question.
Photo credit: Briege George
Citizen Scientists
Zooniverse
Contribute to real research projects from the comfort of your home. Zooniverse has a range of projects needing support form citizen scientists across a range of subject areas, including: medicine, climate, nature and social science.
Some examples:
Fishing in the past – Identify fish species on paintings, to gain information on biodiversity and commercial use of fish species
Eye for Diabetes – Help us improve the eye health of people with diabetes
Galaxy Zoo Clump Scout – Help to find regions where stars are being born!
Volunteer World Mapper
Missing Maps
Putting the World’s Vulnerable People on the Map – Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally ‘missing’ from any map and first responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project in which you can help to map areas where humanitarian organisations are trying to meet the needs of vulnerable people. Like to get involved? Find out more here
Change the world through online volunteering
United Nations
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Online volunteering allows organisations and volunteers to team up to address sustainable development challenges – anywhere in the world, from any device. Online volunteering is fast, easy – and most of all, effective. Want to get involved? Find out more here