The links we feature are to species-specific interest groups (eg Buglife), and to local and national organisations concerned with the natural environment, wildlife and conservation.

If you have a website and other details which you would like us to include, or to amend currently-featured details, please email us via the Contact page.

 

Entomological

Moths Count aims to encourage interest in moths throughout the UK and to establish an ongoing National Moth Recording Scheme to improve knowledge and conservation of the 900+ species of larger moths.

Royal Entomological Society - Founded in 1833 as the Entomological Society of London, the Royal Entomological Society plays a major national and international role in disseminating information about insects and improving communication between entomologists.

Butterfly Conservation - Butterflies are beautiful and intrinsically valuable. Together with moths, their sensitivity to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of the health of the countryside.

Butterfly Conservation (Yorkshire Branch) - The branch works closely with the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union and promotes the jointly administered but independent recording scheme known as ButterflyNet Yorkshire, with a co-ordinator in each of Yorkshire's vice-counties and species co-ordinators for the county as a whole.

The Coleopterist- The Coleopterist is the leading journal for students of the beetle fauna of the British Isles.

The Garden Safari - Beetles Introduction to Beetles (Coleoptera)

For Entomologists - who work on Coleoptera / Beetles, and others who are interested in Insects, Beetle collecting, Wildlife and Nature...
For Researchers and Museum Workers, Ecologists, Environmentalists

Dragonfly Society The aim of the British Dragonfly Society is to promote and encourage the study and conservation of dragonflies and their natural habitats, especially in the United Kingdom.

Glowworms What is needed is the widest possible survey of the remaining glow-worm habitats, which is where you can help.

The Hemiptera - or True Bugs. The Hemiptera is the largest and by far the most sucessful of the Hemimetabolic insects (having young that look like wingless adults and a sort of metamorphosis that does not involve a pupa).

British Shield & Squash Bugs - In Britain Shield Bugs are represented by 4 different families; Acanthosomatidae, Cydnidae, Scutelleridae, Pentatomidae and world wide there may be over 5000 species but in the UK the number is limitted to about 45. Their distinctive appearance makes them relatively easy to find and identify.
The British Squashbugs are similar to the Shieldbugs and are represented by 10 species in the Familiy Coreidae

The Neuroptera -The Neuroptera are a diverse yet fascinating group of about 5 400 species of insects which seem so often to miss out on the attention they deserve.

Odonata - are an order of aquatic palaeopterous insects. There are about 6500 extant species in just over 600 genera.

The Diptera - are commonly known as (true) flies and include many familiar insects such as mosquitoes, black flies, midges, fruit flies, blow flies and house flies.

The Trichoptera - (Caddis Flies). Caddis flies are a group of generally over-looked mostly dull brownish moth-like insects found predominantly in the presence of fresh water.

Ephemeroptera - (Mayflies) are common insects found in almost all freshwater habitats, as well as some brackish ones.

British Plant Gall Society - To encourage and co-ordinate the study of Cecidology, with particular reference to the British Isles.

Other taxa

BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)

Introduction to the Arthropoda

International Society of Arachnology (ISA) The International Society of Arachnology is the premier international scientific society devoted to arachnology. ISA focuses on the arachnid orders Amblypygi, Araneae, Opiliones, Palpgradi, Pseudoscorpiones, Ricinulei, Schizomida, Scorpiones, and Uropygi, but not Acari, as other societies dedicated to acarology exist. Currently ISA has about 600 members from 66 countries. ISA's goals are to promote the study of Arachnology and communication of arachnological information among researchers via meetings and publications (printed or electronic).

Acari Mites (Acari or Acarina) are the most diverse and abundant of all arachnids, but because of their small size (usually less than a millimeter in length) we rarely see them. The ticks are an exception, in that they are usually big enough to see, especially when they are filled with blood.

Opiliones - (Harvestmen, Daddy-longlegs) - Everything you ever wanted to know about daddy long legs! Prepared by some members of the Opiliones Internet Discussion Group.

Hirudinea - in the phylum Annelida (segmented worms) comprises the leeches, the most highly specialized of the major annelid groups.

The Biology of Amphipods - Two very different body shapes of amphipods are found in shallow marine environments, one long and skinny (skeleton shrimps or Caprellidea), the other compact (Gammaridea).

Snails and other mollusca

British Bryological Society

Bryology is the study of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts (otherwise known collectively as Bryophytes).
Bryophytes are green land plants; there are approximately 18,000 species.

British Mycological Society

The British Lichen Society
Formed in 1958 to stimulate and advance interest in all branches of lichenology. The first society in the world entirely devoted to the study of lichens, it has many overseas as well as British members.

Aquatic Ecology
Links to the DMOZ open directory project. Aquatic Ecology (283 links)

Froglife Froglife is the secretariat to the Herpetofauna Groups of Britain and Ireland, a volunteer network dedicated to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Crayfish All you need to know.

The British Ecological Society
The BES is an active and thriving organisation with something to offer anyone with an interest in ecology.

 

Other sites

Doncaster Museums
Yorkshire & Humber biodiversity bibliography available from Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery's Website.
This index consists of over 450 references to published notes and research papers relevant to the biodiversity of the Yorkshire and Humber region contributed since 1962 by successive members of Doncaster Museum's natural history staff.
Since its inception in 1909 Doncaster Museum has always been strongly active in the natural sciences. In addition to the formation of standard collections of voucher material, it has contributed hugely to our knowledge of the region's biodiversity, researched into the distribution and status changes of a wide range of locally occurring species and of course runs the Doncaster biological and geological records centre. The museum has been privileged to have had on its staff some of the most active, and influential naturalists to have worked in the Yorkshire and Humber region, some functioning as regional or county recorders particularly of invertebrate groups, some being nationally and even internationally renowned. Although some of Doncaster Museum's research output appears in the national scientific literature, there has always been a tradition to make studies, records and status reviews available to local naturalists and practitioners. This is largely achieved by publishing in The Naturalist the quarterly field studies journal for the north of England, together with the twice yearly Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin, YNU Conference proceedings and various other standard county faunas periodically issued by the YNU. To gain access to the bibliography on the web, click on Published Research Papers

Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trusts partnership is the UK's leading conservation charity exclusively dedicated to wildlife.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust The Yorkshire Charity for Nature Conservation..."Protecting Wildlife for the Next Generation"
You can find out more about YWT, join us or make a donation by visiting the site.

Woodland Trust The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading conservation charity dedicated to the protection of our native woodland heritage.

The Tree of Life Web Project is a collaborative web project, produced by biologists from around the world. On more than 2600 World Wide Web pages, the Tree of Life provides information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their history, and characteristics.

The British Micropalaeontological Society Towards the advancement of the education of the public in the study of Micropalaeontology.

GROUPS

 

Place PLACE is a regional reasearch centre which brings together academics, professionals and the general public through: Reasearch projects, Consultancy work, Conferences, Publications and Social events.

The Yorkshire & Humber Biodiversity Forum The Yorkshire and Humber Biodiversity Forum is an association of organisations committed to supporting Biodiversity through action for sustainable development and to promoting positive partnerships with regional and local agencies, organisations, individuals and groups.

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers BTCV is the UK's leading charity working with people to bring about positive environmental change.

Conservation Foundation The Conservation Foundation was founded by David Bellamy and David Shreeve to provide a means for people in public, private and non-profit sectors to collaborate on environmental causes. Since 1982 The Foundation has created and managed a wide range of environmental initiatives, often with the support of commercial partners.

Natural England Natural England is the Government Agency that champions the conservationof wildlife and geology throughout England.

Naturenet UK Countryside & Nature Conservation.

Plant Life Plantlife International is a charity dedicated exclusively to conserving all forms of plant life in the UK, Europe and across the world, in their natural habitats.

Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum Formed in 1989, and formally constituted on 19th April 1991, the Thorne and Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum acts as an umbrella for a wide range of like-minded organisations. Its membership is drawn from voluntary organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts and natural history societies, and it has observers from statutory agencies and local authorities. As its name suggests, it provides a place for debate, and the gathering and disseminating of information. In recent years, it has been forced to take on a campaigning role however, this aspect of its work has always been underpinned by sound safe science, and research, survey and monitoring remain key activities.

Aims and objectives of the Forum include:

• The promotion, at all levels, of Thorne and Hatfield Moors as a natural and cultural resource.
• The conservation of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, their biodiversity, and their geological, palaeoecological, archaeological and historic features, seeking to sustain, and where possible to improve, their environmental quality.
• The provision of a forum for communication and co-operation between organisations that share the above objects.
• The wider dissemination of knowledge and understanding of Thome and Hatfield Moors, and of the issues affecting them

Manwithtwodogs.com Breath of fresh air from Scotland. Welcome to "Man with two dogs" - the family website for dog owners and dog walkers. This is my countryside diary which appears each Saturday in the Courier & Advertiser newspaper.

Geology

Yorkshire Geological Society

Craven & Pendle Geological Society

Cumberland Geological Society

East Midlands Geological Society

Hull Geological Society

Leeds Geological Association

Manchester Geological Assocoiation

North Eastern Geological Society

Sorby Geological Group, Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield

Westmorland Geological Society

Local and Affiliated Sites

Barnsley Naturalist and Scientific Society We are a small group of individuals who share a common interest in the natural world generally and in the natural history of the Barnsley area in particular.

Bradford Botany Group We are a leading Wild Flower Group in the North of England with an interest stretching from coast to coast.

Butterfly Conservation (Yorkshire Branch) We are one of 31 Branches of Butterfly Conservation, dedicated to saving wild butterflies, moths and their habitats.

Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club The Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club is probably one of the oldest clubs in the Teesside area. It was founded in April 1881, the name of Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club has been used since 1886.

Craven Conservation Group This group exists as a local forum for anyone interested in countryside conservation in its widest sense, especially in wildlife conservation.in the North Craven area of Yorkshire.

Darlington and Teesside Field Naturalists' Society The Field Club studies all aspects of natural history, from aquatic life, through plants, animals and birds to geology and astronomy.

Doncaster Natural History Society The society aims to encourage interest in all aspects of natural history and to promote the conservation of wildlife and the protection of habitats, mainly within the area covered by the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough. It was founded in 1880 as the Doncaster Scientific Society and holds an extensive archive spanning 125 years.

Harrogate and District Naturalists' Society The Society was formed in 1947 as the Harrogate & District Naturalist & Scientific Society, the present title being adopted in 1958. Its aim is to promote the study and enjoyment of wildlife in all its forms and to disseminate the knowledge of natural history.

Hull Valley Wildlife Group Work principally within the area of the Hull Valley, East Yorkshire, for the promotion, awareness and appreciation of the region's natural history.

Mid Yorkshire Fungus Group We're a small and friendly group. We organise: to encourage interest in fungi to explore and record fungi in the Mid-Yorkshire area (within a 30 mile radius of Leeds) to promote conservation of fungi forays talks and slide shows identification evenings socials

Ryedale Natural History Society Promotes the study and interest in natural history in the Ryedale District of North Yorkshire.

Scarborough Field Naturalists' Society Promoting an interest in, and the recording of, natural history (wildlife, plants, animals and geology) in the Scarborough area

Sheffield: The Sorby Natural History Society The Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield is the natural history society for the Sheffield area, including South Yorkshire and Peak District, and parts of West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

South Holderness Countryside Society This Society is the leading conservation group in East Yorkshire with almost 400 subscribing members. It manages 8 nature reserves for free public access and is in the process of developing several more.

Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum The promotion, at all levels, of Thorne and Hatfield Moors as a natural and cultural resource. The conservation of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, their biodiversity, and their geological, palaeoecological, archaeological and historic features, seeking to sustain, and where possible to improve, their environmental quality. The provision of a forum for communication and co-operation between organisations which share the above objects. The wider dissemination of knowledge and understanding of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, and of the issues affecting them.

York Ornithological Club Our web site is intended to give information both to our members and many friends, and also to birdwatchers around the world who are interested in this very beautiful part of England.

The Scalby Nabs Ornithological Group The Scalby Nabs Ornithological Group was formed in 1993 by a group of "Birders" to record the species occurring in the area surrounding Scarborough and District. The membership has grown, and it is now thought appropriate to make its activities known to a wider audience.