schemes in this study identified recording opportunities that are
applicable
in
a
range
of
habitats,
the
likelihood
that
these
groups
may
be
aware
of,
and
motivated
to
participate
in
these
activities
may
be
reduced
by
this
factor.
Thirdly,
recording
schemes
must
be
accessible
for
participants.
Being confident to participate has been identified as a potentially
important restrictive factor for people living in low socio-economic
communities (Pope, 2005). Although the review of schemes found
that
the
majority
require
only
a
low
level
of
expertise
in
order
to
participate, this may remain a significant barrier for some groups.
Financial
barriers
were
also
identified
for
other
volunteers,
although many recording activities are free of charge to participate
in and can be done in proximity to the home. The availability of
other resources may be a significant barrier for socio-economically
deprived groups, however. As well as a limit to recording oppor-
tunities
for
people
who
do
not
have
gardens
as
mentioned
above,
access to the internet has been identified as a barrier to participa-
tion for people living in socio-economically deprived areas (Gorard,
2003). Access to the internet was discussed by some of the recor-
ding
scheme
organisations,
and
it
constitutes
a
barrier
which
may
be applicable both for participation and for being aware of recor-
ding schemes in the first instance. Although schemes may not be
limited
to
online
participation,
this
may
remain
a
barrier
for
some
groups.
Finally, ill health has been identified as a barrier to participation
in environmental activities (Pope, 2005), and health deprivation
and
disability
are
factors
that
may
be
more
likely
to
affect
peo-
ple living in socio-economically deprived communities. Although
some of the current participants reported the health and wellbeing
benefits of participating in the recording scheme, this may remain
a
significant
barrier
for
other
people
or
groups.
The future of participation in wildlife recording
Our study has provided the first quantified evidence concern-
ing
the
under-representation
of
people
from
socio-economically
deprived
communities
in
biodiversity
recording
schemes
in
the
UK.
This is significant, since it is a hitherto untested assumption which
underpins the orientation of many of the funding streams that sup-
port conservation organisations towards working with ‘hard-to-
reach’ groups, including urban and socially deprived communities,
e.g. the Big Lottery Fund (Big Lottery Fund, no date). Our work has
shown
that
whilst
the
importance
of
broader
outreach
is
acknowl-
edged by organisations running biodiversity recording schemes
and many conservation organisations have made significant efforts
to broaden their support base, significant barriers to participa-
tion still remain for many people in socio-economically deprived
communities. More needs to be done to understand the reasons
why people from hard-to-reach groups are less well represented in
wildlife
recording
activities,
including
focused
studies
within
these
communities, in order to learn what can be done to reduce barriers
and encourage participation, and thus maximise the individual and
community benefits that arise from this participation.