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The Park & Geopark has been working for many years on monitoring key species across its territory and collecting wildlife and plant data on all its fauna and flora. At the same time, public awareness of environmental issues has been growing, with citizens increasingly wishing to be informed and, in some cases, to play an active role in environmental monitoring. It is within this context that the Biodiversity Observers Network was created.
So, what does this mean in practice?
This network is made up of local residents whose aim is to share biodiversity observations from within their municipality with the Park & Geopark. To keep numbers manageable, only one resident per municipality is selected for each edition. While participation was unlimited in the first year, it is now capped at 30 observers to ensure high-quality monitoring.
Each edition lasts a full year (from September to September). Residents’ observations are only validated if supported by photographs, videos, or audio recordings taken during that year. A minimum of four field outings (one per season) are offered to participants to help them learn how to identify species from all groups. In addition, several progress meetings are held throughout the year via online sessions.
Overall goals
The main objectives of this network are to raise residents’ awareness of biodiversity monitoring and to contribute to the biodiversity observatory covering the Park and Geopark area. Submitted observations add to a database that already contains more than 300,000 records, showcased on the Biodiv’Normandie-Maine website. This approach also enables local residents to become active players in biodiversity monitoring, fosters a sense of community around a shared mission and goal, and improves observation coverage across the territory year after year.
The 2023–2024 Edition
Observers network map
For this first edition, 53 residents (each from a different municipalit) committed to sharing their wildlife observations and learning more about the biodiversity around them. Following three field-based awareness days and four online meetings that sparked lively discussions on biodiversity, the group’s commitment grew stronger.
In total, the network submitted and had validated over 5,900 observations. These included 1,517 different species, 100 of which benefit from national protection, such as the marbled newt and the water vole. Notably, 57 species were recorded for the first time in certain municipalities thanks to the network’s efforts.
Some photos from the 2023–2024 network’s observations:
The 2024–2025 Edition
Observers network map
For this second edition, currently underway (until the end of September 2025), participation has been limited to 30 residents to ensure high-quality monitoring. Indeed, 30 residents from 30 different municipalities have answered the call and continue to this day to share their data while learning to identify the biodiversity around them.