How we engaged thousands of citizens in Farmland Biodiversity Monitoring!

New analysis of project biodiversity monitoring events mobilising over 13k citizens and generating over 10k ecological observations across Europe

A new project report analyses how our Farmer Clusters across nine European countries mobilised over 13,000 citizens through 38 FRAMEwork biodiversity monitoring events between October 2020 and June 2025.

These were not one-off awareness events but structured biodiversity-monitoring activities that generated both valuable ecological data and meaningful opportunities for public engagement in local farmland ecosystems and economies. Participants recorded 10,189 biodiversity observations, identifying 2,190 species via the iNaturalist platform. This demonstrates that citizen science can scale effectively across diverse European contexts.

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Structured Community Participation

Traditional biodiversity monitoring relies on expert scientists with specialised training and equipment. The FRAMEwork project took a different approach: engaging local communities alongside professional scientists through citizen science campaigns designed by Farmer Clusters. Participants recorded insects, plants, birds and small mammals across farmland transects, hedgerows and field margins, building firsthand understanding of the living landscapes that feed Europe.

Rather than asking citizens to submit paper forms or hand over data exclusively to researchers, the iNaturalist platform empowered participants to contribute to global science. Citizens could photograph wildflowers, insects and birds; receive identification suggestions from a global community; and see their observations contribute to conservation knowledge. This two-way engagement built understanding and trust in science, particularly important in rural contexts where research institutions may seem distant from farming communities.

Flexibility Across European Contexts

No single approach fits all contexts. Farmer Clusters adapted their engagement strategies to local conditions and opportunities. The Basse-Durance Cluster in France organised Open Science Days and bat-box monitoring activities, engaging 36 public participants. The Born Cluster in Luxembourg conducted public bioblitzes as part of the City Nature Challenge 2022 and 2023 (300 and 150 participants respectively), operating nocturnal cameras to document bats and nocturnal insects. The Buchan Cluster in Scotland integrated biodiversity monitoring into the NHS Aden Country Park festival, reaching 200 participants. Burgenland in Austria engaged over 550 species documenters during the City Nature Challenge.

Other clusters chose alternative formats. Cazadores de Aguilar in Spain planned school-based bioblitz events. The Cranborne Chase Cluster in England combined bioblitz participation with farmer training in species identification and habitat surveys. The Kanepi Kihilund Cluster in Estonia conducted 75 bird species surveys and documented 60+ wild bee species. The Mostviertel Cluster in Austria organised multiple bioblitz events and citizen science conferences. Val Graziosa in Italy conducted city nature challenge monitoring involving over 100 participants. The diversity of approaches demonstrates that citizen science thrives when aligned with local interests, institutions and existing community gatherings.

Translating Engagement into Impact

The 10,189 observations and 2,190 species records now support biodiversity conservation in multiple ways. They document baseline biodiversity in cluster landscapes, enable monitoring of rare and threatened species, inform habitat management decisions and contribute to European biodiversity indices and conservation planning.

Beyond the data, citizen science fostered deeper community connection to farmland. Participants gained direct experience observing butterflies on wildflower strips, identifying bird species in hedgerows and understanding how farming practices shape the insects and plants that inhabit agricultural landscapes.

For comprehensive documentation of citizen science campaigns, engagement approaches and outcomes, consult the FRAMEwork D3.3 Report at https://zenodo.org/records/17898912 or visit https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.