We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help research, identify, photograph, map and record the incredible biodiversity within our Orchard, Forest garden and Nature Reserve.
To be part of either the Tree & Plant ID Team – to help map, identify and record our plants, bushes, vines, trees using a physical map / what3words app, tasting notes and photos or the Wildlife Recorders / Surveyors Team – Surveying, identification and recording of Birds, Reptiles, Mammals & Invertebrates.
Tree & Plant ID Team
As you may know, we have an incredible variety of fruit, nuts, herbs, vines and fascinating plant species. Our goal is to document all of these thoroughly and create a physical numbered map that can be printed out and displayed.
Each number on the map can link to detailed information, including notes and photos on their flavour, texture, blossom and seed cross-sections.
This will especially aid in identifying unknown trees. Some of our fruit trees are very rare and scarcely documented, for instance our Pear Apple, having only ever seen it referenced in ‘The Cornish Pomona’
You can explore some of our current species list here but there is so much more to add!
There is also a list of all fruit trees that we’ve numbered so far, the ones we know the names of and ID notes taken on taste, apple and blossom ID etc
In 2023 we introduced a new labelling system, hanging silver, numbered metal disks on the apple trees, starting from below the orchard shed, zigzagging down the orchard from left to right. Dotted between the apple trees are other fruit trees which will be recorded separately with gold metal numbered disks. Tasty apples have a green piece of wool hanging from the number – for our eating pleasure!
Initially we recorded trees using GPS co-ordinates (see our Tree map //www.stivesorchard.co.uk/tree-map/) however these have proven to be imprecise. We are now using What3words for better accuracy, though it isn’t perfect either.
Wildlife Recorders / Surveyors Team
We aso want to record all wildlife sightings. Focussing on different categories: Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Mammals, Invertebrates (insects, spiders, snails, worms). We’ve had some wonderful recordings from our new wildlife camera. A beautiful Roe deer and fox pass by regularly in this hidden area deep within the Nature Reserve.
We received a bio-acousitic monitor from www.carbonrewild.com which recorded birds and mammals through sound. It was installed for a month, see results below. Given to us by Sustainable food cornwall as part of the Join the dots program
It’s going to be a fun and rewarding project, learning, exploring and helping us better understand and preserve our wonderful resources.
We’d love you to get involved!
Let us know if you’re interested in participating or have any questions.
If you aren’t currently signed up as a volunteer, do sign up on //form.jotform.com/210221576570348