A rich and diverse array of species are thriving in our historic churchyards and cemeteries, a recent citizen science survey reveals.
Earlier this year, communities across the UK came together to celebrate Love Your Burial Ground Week, National Cemeteries Week, and Churches Count on Nature 2025. Churches Count on Nature is a joint initiative promoted by Caring for God’s Acre, the Church of England, the Church in Wales, and A Rocha UK.
Participants contributed by visiting their local churchyards and cemeteries to record the wildlife they encountered, from wildflowers to insects, birds, and mammals. The initiative highlights the importance of protecting and nurturing the biodiversity found within the UK’s historic burial grounds, ensuring that these sacred spaces continue to serve as havens for both wildlife and people.
If we are familiar with the plants and animals in our churchyards, we can take better action to help them. Surveying provides us with valuable information about the plants and animals in our area; it is also of enormous help to national conservationists. ‘Citizen science’ (the public participating in scientific research, usually by collecting data) reveals the bigger picture and informs decision-making on a larger scale. Lots of people’s individual contributions can add up to make a big impact!
Taking part also offers a very practical way for churches to care for God’s creation. Many people used the free online recording system called iNaturalist, which helped them identify what they had seen. More than 380 events took place, with an estimated 6,000+ participants joining in. There were events for adults, children and cross-generational groups, ranging from self-guided observations to sessions led by experts. An impressive 8,668 records were submitted this year, covering 1,670 species!
Here are some of the most common findings:
| The top birds (out of 80 species recorded) | The top five plant species recorded | The top invertebrates (out of 457 species recorded) |
| Wood pigeon | Oxeye daisy | Harlequin ladybird |
| Blackbird | Ribwort plantain | Seven-spot ladybird |
| Robin | Common daisy | Buff-tailed bumblebee |
| Blue tit | Ivy | Meadow brown butterfly |
| Wren | Nettle | Swollen-thighed beetle |
These species are all relatively common, but no less valuable for that. It’s often the abundant species that show us changes in trends and are, of course, the perfect starting point for getting the ‘bug’ to watch nature!
Highlights from those who took part:
Quotes from participants who were asked to tell us their own personal highlights include:
“Seeing intergenerational exploration and teaching, with elderly members of the congregation engaging with children and telling them about different species.”
“Being joined by a young man who, though registered blind, became our bird spotter by sound and enjoyed nature through touch and smell.”
“I think it’s a good reminder for us to stop, observe and appreciate the nature on our doorstep.”
“Welcoming new people to our group, including help from a member of the congregation who studied botany at university!”
“It was lovely and sunny – a peaceful time when we were each in our own world, but all focused on one thing.”
Thank you so much to everyone who organised or took part in this year’s events.
Save the date for 2026! Churches Count on Nature will run from 6-14 June 2026. Register your event from 16 March.
