Projects

Field research and conservation projects

We run public-facing and funded research projects that deploy Demeter recorders, build acoustic datasets, and engage communities with the wildlife around them.

Active project Year 2

Flagship project

Wild Churchyard Project

English churchyards are among the most biodiverse habitats in the British landscape. Many contain ancient grassland, veteran trees, mature hedgerows, and centuries of low-intensity management that have been lost almost everywhere else.

The Wild Churchyard Project is a systematic acoustic monitoring programme using Demeter recorders to understand what bird and bat species use churchyards — and to help churches make better conservation management decisions.

Wild Churchyard Project photography
12 Churchyard sites
47 Bird species recorded
8 Bat species detected
2,400+ Recording hours

In development

Future projects

Projects we are developing for future deployment seasons. Contact us if you would like to be involved or host a recording site.

Planning

Hedgerow Acoustic Network

A multi-farm project to monitor bird and bat use of hedgerow networks across an agricultural landscape, building evidence for agri-environment scheme targeting and hedgerow management guidance.

Express interest
Concept

Urban Soundscape Project

Comparing acoustic biodiversity in urban green spaces — parks, allotments, gardens, and urban churchyards — to understand how wildlife uses fragmented habitats in towns and cities.

Express interest

Collaborate

Propose a project

We are interested in hearing from landowners, churches, conservation organisations, and research institutions who would like to run a monitoring project using Wild Systems Lab technology and methods.