Guest Blog

Patrol Spotlight: Seahouses Monks House

June 15, 2026 by Admin

Written by Jacquie Jones, Patrol Manager

Looking Back on Our 2026 Toads on Roads Season

As another Toads on Roads season comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what has been an incredibly rewarding few months.

With our last two patrol nights recording zero crossings, and the clocks changing to bring lighter evenings, it’s clear that this year’s amphibian migration has now finished. While it’s always a little sad to pack away the buckets and high-vis jackets for another year, it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together.

Our 2026 Totals

This season, volunteers safely helped:

1,894 toads
12 frogs
38 newts

Sadly, we also recorded 209 toads killed on the road.

That means a total of 2,153 amphibians were safely assisted during the 2026 migration period — an amazing achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.

The Seahouses Toads on Roads group © Claire Watson-Armstrong

Thank You to Our Volunteers

None of this would be possible without our fantastic volunteers.

Thank you to everyone who gave up their evenings, stood out in the cold, wind and rain, and remained committed to protecting local wildlife. The support, kindness and teamwork shown throughout the season have once again been outstanding. This group continues to be welcoming, respectful and genuinely caring, and that spirit is what makes such a difference year after year.

Comparing 2026 with Previous Years

Looking back at last year, the results are particularly encouraging.

2025 totals:

Toads saved: 1,497
Toads found dead: 258

Compared with 2025, this year saw:

397 more toads saved (+26.5%)
49 fewer toad deaths (-19%)
An increase in the estimated survival rate from around 85% to approximately 90%

Looking further back:

2024 totals:

Toads saved: 738
Toads found dead: 118

Across the last three recorded seasons, we’ve seen a substantial increase in the number of amphibians encountered and safely assisted. The number of toads helped across the road has risen every year, highlighting both the importance of the patrol and the dedication of the volunteers who make it happen.

The Bigger Picture

Since the patrol was first established, our records show a steady upward trend in the number of amphibians encountered and successfully helped across the road.

This pattern reflects both increased survey effort and the remarkable behaviour of breeding amphibians, which return to the same breeding sites year after year. Reducing road mortality is widely recognised as an important factor in supporting healthy local populations, so every amphibian safely guided across the road really does matter.

Contributing to National Conservation Efforts

I’m also pleased to say that our final 2026 data has now been submitted to Froglife and will contribute to the national Toads on Roads monitoring programme. Every record collected helps build a better understanding of amphibian populations and migration trends across the country.

Until Next Year…

For now, the patrol season is over and the amphibians have safely reached their breeding sites.

Thank you once again to everyone who took part, supported the project, shared updates, and helped spread awareness. Together we’ve made a real difference for local wildlife, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

We’ll be back next season.

If you’d like to follow our work or find out more about getting involved, visit our Facebook group here.

See you on the roadside in 2027!

Pride: A message from our Patron Kate Bradbury

June 1, 2025 by Admin

Kate Bradbury and Trustee Xavier Mahele © Oliver Dixon

“It doesn’t seem obvious to everyone, but the ‘barriers’ marginalized groups talk about when accessing sites like nature reserves can be as simple as not feeling comfortable or “fitting in”. And for LGBTQIA people, that anxiety of not fitting in nearly always has roots of being told our lives or “lifestyle” is at odds with the norm. I was born in the 1980s and was at secondary school in the 1990s, when Thatcher’s Section 28 prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” in schools. No-one should feel they don’t belong because of who they are. And yet, if enough people tell you, you don’t belong, you believe them.

The mental and physical benefits that come with being outdoors and engaging with nature are unparalleled, and so EVERYONE should have equal access. But access is also important for the natural world itself: now, more than ever before, the world needs EVERYONE to be invested in nature – it’s the only way we have any hope of saving it.

I’m proud to be a patron for Froglife because they actively work to make the natural world accessible to everyone. All of their projects have social inclusion at their heart, with one project supporting up to 15 trainees from under-represented groups, and another working with specific groups, including Rainbow Families. Diversity and biodiversity go hand in hand – let’s break down those barriers.

Wishing you all a very happy Pride Month. Kate x”

Inclusivity is at the heart of Froglife’s work, and Kate’s blog really sums up why this is important. Our vision is a world in which reptile and amphibian populations are flourishing as part of healthy ecosystems, and we know that to achieve this we need to have EVERYONE on board. Our Mission statement reflects this by saying “We engage diverse communities and encourage learning about wildlife conservation.” We are proud of the diversity of staff, volunteers and project participants we have and hope to continue to build on this in the future.

As an organisation we are constantly looking at how we can engage new audiences with conservation and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds into the sector. Actions taken since the last Pride month include:

Ensuring we have ‘people like me’ at Froglife. LGBTQIA people, are represented at all levels at Froglife, make a massive contribution to Froglife’s work and ethos, and have been valued members of the Froglife community for many years.
Keeping up to date with best practice and recent developments, and then we revising our EDI policy in 2024.
Making sure we implement our EDI policy fully, so it is a living document and useful to all our staff and volunteers. We updated our procedures further following advice from a non-binary member of staff.
Inviting in an external trainer to deliver Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to all our staff.
Improving the way we monitor our progress in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and reviewing progress at our Senior Management Team Meetings each year.
Improving our recruitment procedures to remove barriers for people who may need extra support in the interview and recruitment process.
Ensuring that we think through all our projects and consult with people from under-represented groups so that we are reaching those who face the most disadvantage. We actively reach out to LGBTQIA people and groups through our projects.
Actively working to make sure that Froglife is an inclusive place to work and volunteer, and that staff, volunteers, Trustees and Patrons are from a wide range of backgrounds.

Froglife Black History Month ‘Reclaiming Narratives’

October 28, 2024 by Admin

Froglife Trustee Xavier Mahele with Froglife Patron Kate Bradbury working on our London Blue Chain project © Oliver Dixon

Written by Xavier Mahele, Trustee, Froglife

Nature is for everyone. All of us are intrinsically connected to nature. It underpins our physical and ecological reality and provides a wondrous enchantment that enriches our existence. Meanwhile access to wild spaces is a key determinant of environmental quality, physical and mental well-being. Thus, being able to interact with and have a say in nature conservation must be a cherished, universal right. Yet certain groups have been traditionally marginalised from many of the stories and management decisions relating to nature at multiple levels. From natural history and scientific research to conservation efforts and nature storytelling, the contributions of black voices and their opportunities have been minimised presenting a serious social and environmental justice issue which hinders the effectiveness and reach of conservation.

I have long sought out inspiring black voices and legends in natural history and ecology. But why do we so rarely hear of their stories and why are black voices in the natural history and conservation sector less visible?

Professor Tyrone Hayes ©Flickr, E. Neikirk.

Growing up as an avid frog geek, I was mesmerised by the adventures and stories of UC Berkeley Professor Tyrone Hayes. Watching him blissfully splashing around catching frogs in waterfalls on the BBC documentary Expedition Borneo was highly influential in my dream to become a biologist and work with amphibians. Meanwhile his heroic fight against the devastating agrochemical industry through his research on frog environmental endocrinology helped cement the idea for me that science should work for the betterment of our social and environmental wellbeing. Throughout his career, he has had to overcome significant amounts of racism but has pioneered the way forward for inclusion and equality in ecology. Professor Hayes remains a shining light of being black and proud in amphibian and reptile science and ecology more broadly, yet I have heard so few stories like his.

In my personal experiences throughout my youth as a naturalist and during my limited time as an early career researcher in ecology, I have encountered startlingly few black colleagues. Certainly a qualitatively lower number than would be expected from the background population. Many times I have been the only person with black heritage in the room, and even at large conferences colleagues can be few and far between. While conservation seems to be a predominantly white field in this country, it is also profoundly ‘non-black’. There is a distinct disproportionate lack of black diversity even when looking at people of colour in particular. Is natural history overall just not a particularly black ‘thing’? No, there are deep cultural connections with nature in the black community and it is a source of profound joy and inspiration. Rather, entrenched barriers contribute to this underrepresentation and constrain the proliferation of black voices in ecology and conservation as well as amateur natural history. This requires holistic thinking to overcome and change the narrative that nature and conservation is a ‘white, middle class’ endeavour which will ultimately greatly improve the field.

A lack of diversity in conservation severely limits its effectiveness and tackling this is fundamental for progressing the field. We know from ecosystems that diversity and modularity builds resilience and functioning. Different lived experiences provide novel perspectives, ideas and the ability to more productively reach underrepresented communities and the important habitats they steward. Furthermore, biases in conservation allocation against black communities limits ecological and social gains. Nature restoration has huge potential for improving communities and generating momentum for social progress. It is an act of sociological and environmental regeneration, and has the power to act as a potent positive multiplier for improving living standards and building resilience to stress. It is therefore imperative that all communities are reached and no one is left behind to suffer the fallout of conservation neglect and degradation that marginalised communities are more frequently exposed to. Cultivating diversity and tackling biases in the conservation community is therefore fundamental.

Likewise in the research world, barriers to entry, participation, research opportunities and publishing disproportionately silences black authors and the important work they represent – especially in the global south. Restricting these contributions impedes effective conservation particularly as these regions harbour most of earth’s biodiversity, including for herpetofauna. This has severe implications for data deficiencies and risks conservation neglect for these important areas and the communities that live there. These are important stories to tell and must be heard.

To tackle biases and representation issues in ecology and conservation we must mitigate the barriers to entry, inclusion, and participation that stifle the recruitment and flourishing of black voices. Firstly, the future of conservation hinges on young people having passions for nature. However, in general, children are not getting enough exposure to nature and wildlife with many unable to identify common species. This lack of a fundamental natural history proficiency is hugely concerning for conservation and public attitudes towards biodiversity as people do not protect what they don’t know and don’t love. This is coupled with shifting baseline syndromes in perceptions of nature loss which normalises the ecological emergency and can lead to stalled action. A lack of access to high quality, local natural spaces due to regional biases in their distribution and conservation effort can disproportionately affect black communities and reduce opportunities to kindle an interest in natural history. This may diminish the number of committed advocates for those spaces and our natural heritage. Conservation outreach to help foster these experiences and relationships is really important. Prioritising nature protection firmly within the ethos and planning of our communities can help create a positive feedback between ecological and community regeneration in previously neglected areas whilst inspiring the next generation of environmentalists, naturalists and ecologists, especially those from underrepresented communities.

To allow this pool of interested young, black ecologists to thrive and encourage the community to grow, investments to make the field inclusive and supportive are vital. Well paying entry level jobs with opportunities for rapid progression are necessary to encourage people from a variety of financial backgrounds to consider ecology as a viable career pathway and prevent ecology pricing out talented prospects which may disproportionately affect certain groups.

It is also important for natural history and conservation to acknowledge it’s colonial and exploitative past. Many key discoveries in classical biology were only possible due to the work of black explorers and local indigenous knowledge. For example Darwin relied on John Edmonstone, a former slave from Guyana, to teach him taxidermy which was essential to preserve the specimens he collected on his voyage on HMS Beagle. Wallace was assisted by teenager ‘Ali’ on his expedition to Malaysia. Many more are hidden from history, their contributions unrecorded and we have to reconstruct their stories from the margins of more famous scientists.

Miranda Lowe of the Natural History museum is trying to change this narrative by acknowledging the expertise of indigenous people was crucial to the success of expeditions led by European naturalists and collectors. ‘Their knowledge of local nature and landscapes helped these scientists to navigate and find specimens that they would have been unable to source on their own.’

She believes scientific nomenclature is too exclusive and the language needs to change. There are very few examples of species in the Natural History collection being given indigenous names, a rare example is Cassia Amara named after botanist Gramman Kwarsi, ‘It is really unusual that a European would name a plant scientifically after a previously enslaved African’. Reclaiming the narrative about the history of natural science as well as doing work of reparations for history’s ills is important to make the field just and welcoming.

Finally, a key aspect for making this space welcoming for black ecologists, activists, and amateur naturalists is to spotlight the stories of trailblazers forging exciting pathways in the movement. This helps generate a sense of relatability, support, solidarity, confidence and belonging in the community. Reclaiming the narrative on black relationships with nature and conservation play a vital role here by highlighting that black ecologists are out here and have played a significant role in pioneering science and environmental protection all over the world.

Herpetologist and science communicator, Earyn McGee © Wikimedia, E. McGee

Highlighting figures who have played key parts in the history of natural science and the modern environmental movement can be transformative. It is fantastic to see the increasing representation of black voices in the natural history community. With a collection of black naturalists and scientists such as Liz Bonnin, Patrick Aryee, Gillian Burke, David Lindo ‘The Urban Birder’, and Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka often featuring on screen in natural history documentary programming, it is becoming more relatable for black audiences. Additionally, it is inspiring to see a new generation of online black environmentalists and scientists showcasing their important work in conservation and ecology. Initiatives and organisations such as Black in Marine Science, Black in Environment, Black Birders Week, and more help highlight these important stories in the environmental sector. For the amphibian and reptile community in particular, researcher Dr Earyn McGee, “The Lizard Lassoer”, is a huge inspiration for young black ecologists and is pushing for more black women to be represented in environmental careers as well as the decolonisation of herpetology. Together, elevating these stories and champions promotes better connection, networking, and opportunities for this vibrant community of black conservationists and scholars to grow.

Life Under the Surface event as part of Froglife’s London Dragon Finder project

Conservation charities like Froglife have enormous potential to help further some of these ideas. With a large focus on ‘Transforming Lives’ through outreach into schools and community spaces, Froglife projects are able to kindle passions for wildlife with natural history learning experiences which help generate a vital excitement for protecting and advocating for biodiversity. Meanwhile the habitat improvements Froglife conducts across green spaces helps to make nature more accessible and provide these local opportunities for connecting with it. Meanwhile, Froglife traineeships help to provide entry positions for establishing new voices in the field, especially those from underrepresented communities.

Xavier surveying ponds at Ruskin Park in Lambeth, London for the London Blue Chain project development

Dismantling these barriers and reclaiming the narrative requires action and inclusive storytelling across the natural history community, fostering opportunities for nurturing passions and advancement as well as creating an accessible, relatable environment. Tackling systemic inequalities that historically marginalised communities face regarding nature access, vulnerabilities and environmental peripheralisation is also vital. This includes linking the synergisms between various systems of oppression, deprivation, and narrative erasure as well as a rejection of neocolonial western imperialist ideals which also greatly contribute to biodiversity destruction and the suppression of livelihoods.

The pursuit of environmental justice and action to stem climate and ecological disaster is the fight of all of our lives and everyone must be involved, and able to have their voice and perspectives heard. In this way we can drive a unified, and inclusive charge for a better present and future. Reclaiming the narrative on nature and the black community is a hugely significant step in promoting this inclusion.

A Garden Pond Over 19 Years

September 1, 2024 by Admin

Written by Johanna Griffin

People often say it would be nice to record what’s going on in their wildlife gardens and its really easy to become a Citizen Scientist and gather information that is useful to organisations such as Froglife. Jo Griffin has been keeping records of what’s going on in her pond for nearly 20 years and Froglife are looking to see if they can provide additional information about how frogs are responding to temperature changes across the UK. In this article Jo outlines her work and shows how simple record keeping and regular surveying over long periods can provide a valuable indication of how that natural world fluctuates and changes and may be of importance as a way of monitoring changes to species distribution and abundance.

I was so excited to see a garden pond with frog spawn in it, together with two adult frogs climbing up the waterfall, when we went to view the potential new home for a viewing. It clinched the deal-we had to buy this property! The pond was very new then- the maximum possible age was 3 years. The garden was sparse at the time and situated on a slope with sapling trees behind the garden in open space, leading to the foothills of the Ochil Hills of Clackmannanshire. (The wee county with the long name)! We planted more shrubs and trees and over the last 19 years the garden has matured beyond all recognition. The saplings behind the garden, (planted sometime around 2002) are now VERY tall, mature trees in what has become a woodland habitat supporting all manner of wildlife.

I have always been fascinated by frogs since childhood. (Remember trying to ‘hypnotise’ them by gently stroking their noses when their heads popped up to the surface?!) Having my own garden pond at last was therefore very exciting, and I look forward each year to the frenzied activity of mating frogs filling the pond in what I term ‘frog-fest’! I have kept records since 2005 of the date of first spawn appearing, and other interesting observations, such as the maximum number of frogs visible in the pond at the time that I was looking out of the kitchen window. Some years it was necessary to video the pond in order to count the huge numbers of frogs accurately. (They keep diving and swimming across the pond…..it makes counting very difficult)!

The pond is roughly triangular in shape and holds approximately 1848 litres of water. There is plenty of mud on the bottom, and despite vigorous efforts to remove so-called ‘dwarf’ water lilies, which have taken over much of the surface, enough of the rhizomes remained to grow again this season. The underside of these lily pads attract small leeches when in contact with the water. Brooklime, water forget-me-not and duckweed cover the remaining surface currently.


The pond when new in 2007	The pond now in August 2024	Plenty of tadpoles

Below is a table of First Spawning dates, with notes on the maximum number of frogs
counted at any one time during the day:

Year	Date of first spawning	Notes
2005	18th March
2006	19th March	Greater water boatmen infesting pond
2007	26th February	44 frogs seen at lunchtime
2008	24th February	70-80 frogs during day. (Mass migration of frogs crossing A91 at 22.45hrs on 01/04/08)
2009	26th February	60-70 frogs during day
2010	12th March	53 frogs seen sunny lunchtime. 1 taken by heron! No tadpoles left in pond by 18/04/10. Pond froze over twice after spawn was laid. (Mass migration of frogs crossing A91 from River Devon to farmland on other side of road. Loads were squashed unfortunately)
2011	7th March	32 frogs during the day. By 29th May most of tadpoles missing from pond.
2012	Sometime between 17:00, 29th Feb and noon 4th March	103 in pond on sunny day. Not many tadpoles survived however. Blanket weed problem?
2013	6th March	80+ frogs seen on sunny lunchtime. Great year for tadpole survival. An unusual year- frogs came and spawned in 3 distinct waves over several weeks. Exceptionally cold weather this March.
2014	10th March	60+ frogs. Best tadpole survival yet. 1/06/14- loads of froglets with varying lengths of tail hopping around the fern and dianthus plants on patio. Mass movement of froglets from pond to garden and beyond on 13/06/14. Awkward sideways flopping movement noted. Does the tail unbalance them? Best year yet for tadpoles ad successful dispersal from pond. 16/06/14-all gone from pond.
2015	5th March	50+ frogs seen in pond.
2016	10th March	Approx. 40 frogs seen.
2017	24th February	50-60 frogs
2018	11th March	24 frogs only seen
2019	1st March	13 frogs only. Lowest number of frogs yet.
2020	8th March	Approx. 25 frogs. (Nearby house had 1st spawning on this date too).
2021	1st March	Max. of 32 frogs seen during the day
2022	Sometime between 12th and 16th March	Max. of 20 frogs
2023	22nd February	Max of 28 frogs seen in afternoon. Approx. 11 individual spawnings counted.
2024	29th February	45 frogs seen during day

The Healing Power of Nature: Exploring the Impact of Nature Prescriptions on Mental Health

November 13, 2023 by Admin

Written by Jackie Edwards

“Nature itself is the best physician,” said Hippocrates, evidencing the extent to which people have always relied on nature for their mental health. Hippocrates spoke from instinct and observation, but over the past few decades, a plethora of scientific studies have proven him right. One 2022 study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, for instance, found that a one-hour walk in the Great Outdoors reduces stress-related brain activity. Specifically, the central brain region involved in stress processing, the amygdala, is less activated in times of stress among people who live in rural areas. But the good news is that you don’t need to live in the countryside to harness nature’s benefits. Studies have shown that just 10 minutes of time in the midst of nature can make a big difference. A visit to the woods or a park, for instance, does wonders for your state of mind, as does time spent near bodies of water (including ponds, lakes, ditches, and rivers). So the next time you have a short break, don’t spend it online. Head outside, breathe the air, catch the beauty of local wildlife (such as amphibians and reptiles), and open your senses to the healing benefits of nature.

Nature Quells Anxiety

Because nature is a powerful stress buster, it is a great ally for those battling stress and anxiety. A 2021 University of York study, for instance, showed that outdoor nature-based activities can improve mental health problems such as anxiety, as it leads to improved mood and more positive emotions. Gardening, exercise, nature walks, and simply spending time outdoors all weave their magic. The researchers stated that while all these activities are effective in themselves, it seems that doing them in groups leads to even bigger gains in mental health.

Nature vs Depression

A myriad of studies has also been undertaken on the beneficial effects of nature time for people battling depression. One study focused on the now-popular habit of shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing). If you’re not familiar with shinrin-yoku, know that it’s a simple activity that anyone living near the woods can undertake. It essentially involves visiting a green area and opening your senses to your surroundings. To listen to the chirping of birds or the sound of insects, touch fallen leaves or give a tree hug, take in the beauty of the surroundings, and more. Studies have shown that when it comes to depression, the largest and most consistent improvements are found in forest walks. Nature walks and getaways essentially provide an escape from stressful environments and promote a mindful, relaxed state.

Nature Is Essential to Human Health

Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences have requested governments and those responsible for planning and architecture, to take the human-nature connection into account. There is a simple equation that is true across all human ages and cultures: access to nature and green environments boosts cognitive function and promote better mental health overall. By contrast, less access to nature is linked to a plethora of problems, including higher rates of anxiety disorders and clinical depression. Nature helps to connect older and younger neighbors, which in turn helps keep depression and loneliness at bay. Age-inclusive communities are increasingly turning to parks and gardens as a means for neighbors of all ages to form connections and friendships and provide a vital source of support to each other. In fact, outdoor spaces are one of the eight elements of authentic age-inclusive communities and they should be prioritized in new and existing developments alike.

Could Green Prescriptions Undermine the Benefits of Nature?

It is indisputable that spending time in green settings benefits mental health, but could formal “green prescriptions” from doctors undermine some of its benefits? The answer seems to be in the affirmative, as found in a study undertaken in 2020 by University of Exeter research. Their findings showed that although pressure from doctors to spend time outdoors could encourage more visits, it could also lessen the positive effects of green time. This means that healthcare professionals and loved ones should be sensitive and subtle when recommending time in nature for people with depression and anxiety. Specifically, they should encourage them to head to green places they already enjoy visiting, and highlight the fascinating benefits of green time, without making it seem like they “must” visit green areas. “Nature cannot be forced on anyone, but must be provided at the individual’s own pace and will,” said researcher, Matilda van del Bosch.

Time in nature is undoubtedly vital to human health. Studies have shown that time spent outdoors can help quell stress, anxiety, and depression. While this is the case, those suggesting this activity to loved ones or patients with mental health issues or high-stress lifestyles should do so subtly, so it does not make them see nature time as a chore or a duty.

Work Experience Week

July 3, 2023 by Admin

Written by work experience student Ellis Armfield.

I am an A Level student who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to partake in a weeklong work experience placement with Froglife. As an aspiring wildlife conservationist, this placement was perfect for me and through it I gained invaluable experience and knowledge of the conservation sector, whilst meeting inspiring people and gaining practical skills. I’m extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and I have learnt so much. I want to thank everyone who I have spoken to and most of all Amy who has been my placement coordinator and without her I wouldn’t have had this valuable experience.

My week

Monday 26^th June:

For my first day I went to Banstead Beds community garden in Clapham Common. There was a community atmosphere, and the space was bursting with fruits and vegetables.

In our Wild Times session, I worked with a lovely group of dementia patients sampling water from the wildlife pond and testing it for things such as PH. We also used challenging, but fun, equipment to preserve a sample to be sent off and tested for DNA to show what species the pond has in it.

Everyone got involved and challenges such as putting on gloves and using equipment were overcome with teamwork an encouragement. It was great to see the group enjoying the fresh air and trying something new, as well as giving me the opportunity to work with an age group I hadn’t had much experience with previously. Afterwards we all sat down and had a nice chat and I remember Richard saying “we had a smashing afternoon” with a great big smile. Knowing I had made a difference to him made my day.

Tuesday 27^th June:

On Tuesday I went to Lewisham hospital gardens. Despite being only a year old the beautifully designed gardens have many plants growing from trees to wildflowers and many fruits and vegetables.

I helped with general tasks, thinning out and replanting lettuces, watering and picking radishes. While I was gardening, I spoke with volunteers from the local community, showing me how much of a positive impact the gardens have had.

I also had a chance to speak to the project manager Alice, who told me about her role in the project and working for RHS as well as plans for further projects similar to this one. There is an idea of putting a wildlife pond in the gardens too and I was able to have a chat with a health and safety officer regarding implications of putting a wildlife pond in a public space. This made me think about legal aspects of conservation which can often be a major barrier.

Afterwards, Amy showed me the nearby newly planted ‘Tiny Forest’ which I had never heard of before and was enthused by such a great conservation idea to boost biodiversity in such a small space and within urban areas. Seeing so many community-integrated conservation projects has really showed me how much the local community wants to get involved and how essential this is to the project’s success.

Wednesday 28^th June:

I had no sessions booked in so used this time to write this work experience blog as well as writing up a few social media posts.

I also had a zoom call with Kelvin, a manager of another project at Froglife called the ‘London Blue Chain Project’ giving me an insight into further projects I could get involved in. I will be volunteering for the Blue Chain Project in the future and am grateful to have had the chance to make this connection. Kelvin also spoke to me about the conservation sector as a whole and how he started working in conservation which was very interesting to hear about.

Thursday 29^th June:

On Thursday I went to The Rookery community gardens in Streatham common. The lovely gardens have two large ponds and lots of plants growing.

Due to the rain that morning I managed to see lots of tiny froglets hopping about the gardens which was a highlight as I had never seen froglets before.

We worked with a large, chatty, and enthusiastic group who were lively as soon as they arrived and didn’t let the weather dampen their spirits. Just like Monday, our task was to sample water from the two ponds and send it off for DNA testing as well as testing the water for other things like PH and nitrate.

Due to the large size of the group, we split into two smaller groups and each group tested one sample. I lead one of the groups which gave me great experience in managing people, leadership skills and working as a team. Everyone had a go and got involved which was great to see and were very intrigued by the process of using the scientific equipment.

Afterwards we had a nice walk around the gardens and managed to spot a few froglets hopping around, before siting down and all having a nice chat with tea and biscuits. It was great to see everyone smiling and enjoying themselves and when leaving everyone said they had a great time.

Friday 30^th June:

I had no sessions on Friday, so I finished up this work experience blog and an end-of-placement feedback form as well as writing up a few posts for Froglife’s social media. I also had my final zoom call with Amy, my placement coordinator, to say thank you for everything. I am sad that the week is over, but so grateful for such a valuable experience in which the knowledge and skills learnt will stay with me for the future.