Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our natural environment. Founded in 1968, we are a leading authority on the conservation of these beautiful creatures – key indicators of a healthy ecosystem– and we have achieved numerous successes for them locally, nationally and internationally.
Butterflies and moths are a vital part of our wildlife heritage and are valuable as sensitive indicators of the health of our environment. The stark fact is that butterflies and moths continue to decline at an alarming rate, despite Butterfly Conservation’s best efforts over the last 40 years. Our data shows they are both declining faster than most other well-documented groups of plants and animals, so our task is both daunting and complex. For many species, we know what needs to be done to halt the decline and support recoveries. In order to tackle these losses and achieve the aims of the charity, we have to dramatically increase our capacity and influence over the next few years. Our work will benefit other wildlife and the ecosystems upon which all life depends.
Falling numbers are an early warning to all wildlife that cannot be ignored. We have more than 40,000 members in the UK and 32 volunteer-run Branches throughout the British Isles. We employ over 80 people, including many highly qualified scientists, making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. We operate 36 nature reserves and we are leading or involved in 73 landscape-scale projects to conserve habitats.
Resources by Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our natural environment. Half of the UK’s butterflies are now listed as endangered and larger moths have declined in abundance by 33% since 1968. Over 100,000 recorders collect data which is verified by around 200 volunteers with ecological expertise. With an increasing amount of data collected year-on-year, digital systems and volunteer roles are under strain. This project focused on supporting the UK’s evidence base of digitised butterfly and moth observations by improving systems and the volunteering experience.
Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our natural environment. Half of the UK’s butterflies are now listed as endangered and larger moths have declined in abundance by 33% since 1968. Over 100,000 recorders collect data which is verified by around 200 volunteers with ecological expertise. With an increasing amount of data collected year-on-year, digital systems and volunteer roles are under strain. This project focused on supporting the UK’s evidence base of digitised butterfly and moth observations by improving systems and the volunteering experience.
