Connect to Nature

Here you’ll find information about ways you can connect to nature in our region. You’ll find details of resources, opportunities, events, and more.

Events

Kilnsey park estate bioblitz

Join us in recording the wildlife of Kilnsey Park Estate in Wharfedale as part of this exciting bioblitz event, from Friday 30th May, 16:00 - Saturday 31st May, 16:00. All are welcome, whether you are an experienced recorder or a total beginner. The goal of the event is to record as much biodiversity as possible over the 24-hour period, which will help the estate manage their varied habitats to support nature. Experts will be on hand hosting a variety of events to get involved with, including bat walks, insect events, and site walks.

The event hub will be based at Conistone and Kilnsey Village Hall, Skipton BD23 5PS (what3words ///springing.hanging.robot): https://maps.app.goo.gl/i1siB91T8cQwKC6k7

Maps of the site can be collected from the Village Hall throughout the event. Records can be made via the Kilnsey Park Estate Bioblitz iNaturalist project or via paper recording form (also available at the Village Hall), which will then be digitised by NEYEDC. Guidance and assistance with using iNaturalist will also be available if you’d like to use the app to record.

Events programme

All events start from Kilnsey within Conistone Village Hall. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear, as most walks will be on uneven ground. Children must remain with a responsible adult at all times.

Friday 30th May

18:00 Wildlife Walk
Join us for a guided walk around parts of the site, looking at any interesting flora and fauna we find!

21:00 Bat Walk and setting up camera traps
Take a closer look to see if we can find any nocturnal animals.
Please wear suitable footwear and bring a torch as this walk will be on uneven ground in the dark!

Saturday 31st May

09:30 Moth trap opening
What moths have we found across Kilnsey Park?

10:00 Learn about Lichens
What lichens can we find on the drystone walls of Kilnsey?

10:30 Wildlife Walk
A guided wildlife walk round the site with the current president of the Yorkshire Naturalists Union

11:00 Marvellous Mosses
How many different mosses can we find?

12:00 River Dipping
A short walk away is the River Wharfe where we will look for freshwater creatures

13:00 Bug Safari
What insects and creepy crawlies can we find in the long grass?

14:00 Wildflower Walk
Wander along the boardwalk of Kilnsey Flush, what will we find?

As well as the programmed events you can take yourself off on your own nature walk and record what you find – every record counts!

Resources

Species

Butterfly City (Hull) CONNECT WITH BUTTERFLY CITY

Yorkshire Dragonflies CONNECT WITH YORKSHIRE’S DRAGONFLIES

City of Dragons CONNECT WITH DRAGONFLIES IN HULL

Yorkshire Butterflies CONNECT WITH YORKSHIRE'S BUTTERFLIES

UK Ladybirds CONNECT WITH LADYBIRDS

Yorkshire Moths CONNECT WITH YORKSHIRE'S MOTHS

Networks and groups

Yorkshire Rewilding Network CONNECT WITH YRN

Voluntary conservation groups in York FIND A GROUP

Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership CONNECT WITH THE YMNP

Hull Naturalists CONNECT WITH HULL NATS

Wharfedale Naturalists’ Society CONNECT WITH WHARFEDALE NATS

Landscapes

Nature in the Yorkshire Dales CONNECT WITH THE DALES

Nature in the North York Moors CONNECT WITH THE NORTH YORK MOORS