About the Sidmouth Nature project

What is the primary aim of the Sidmouth Nature project? 

The project primarily aims to collate the information and data gathered over a three year survey of 'sites of natural interest' in the Sidmouth area between October 2022 and September 2025 and to make it available for the benefit of the people of Sidmouth interested in nature and also to those from elsewhere who may have an interest in the nature of the Sidmouth area in east Devon, England.

What are the specific purposes of the project website? 

The project website is provided to satisfy the needs of three possible types of visitors to the site:

  1. For the casual user it aims to provide information about topics of interest and answer general, or specific, questions they may have about nature in the Sidmouth area
  2. For those with a growing interest and wanting to learn about the natural world in the Sidmouth area the content is arranged in a way that hopefully enables someone to learn in a logically structured way at an introductory level
  3. For those seeking deeper knowledge acquired through in depth study there is some added functionality to interact with the topics interactively, ask questions and seek answers both from within the knowledge contained withing the project itself and from a wider range of sources.

How does the creator's background influence the Sidmouth Nature project? 

The projects creator has a background in information technology, specifically as a systems designer and data processing professional and this has significantly shaped the project's organisation. This analytical approach is evident in how the data is collated, analysed, and published on this project website. Furthermore, a long-standing personal interest in nature, evolving from bird watching to a broader focus on ecology as a system, underpins the project's scope. 

Is the Sidmouth Nature project considered professional scientific research or citizen science? 

The project is certainly not based on scientific principles is not considered to be formal "citizen science." It is a personal endeavour driven by the enthusiasm of an amateur naturalist. While the data might be useful to researchers, it's crucial to understand its non-professional origin.

What level of confidence should users have in the accuracy of the information provided? 

While the creator strives for accuracy in species identification and data collection, it is important to recognise that they are an enthusiastic amateur and potential mistakes may be present. Users, especially those intending to use the data for research purposes, should bear this in mind. The creator apologises in advance for any unintentional errors.

Some of the information has been generated using artificial intelligence tools and whilst attempts to verify accuracy have been made these tools can produce ambiguous or inaccurate results on occasions!

How is the information from the Sidmouth Nature project structured for public use? 

The material available for public use is organised into four main themes; the natural environment, case studies, biodiversity networks and life on earth. Within each theme are a series of related topics and each topic contains a series of threads which provide the detail OR provides access to more detailed information available from other sources within the website itself or from external sources.

What specific facilities are provided to enhance learning opportunities from the provided knowledge base? 

There are a number of features that might be useful, notably:

  • Many of the TEXTS have links directly to Google Search for more in depth information. These links are highlighted in red text
  • Within each TOPIC is a thread that links to Google NotebookLM, an AI based study tool that only searches provided, verified sources for its purposes and users can access the Learning Studio to ask questions, see a structured overview of the content with links to references in the source material. One can also listen to an audio podcast where two people explain the topic in some detail and also access some reports including a study guide.
  • Also within each TOPIC are other support materials including and expanded, in depth 'Full Story' text on the topic being considered, there are suggestions for practical activities one might undertake 'in the field' and also pointers and links to resources that might provide greater detail of the subject.

Is this learning I undertake on my own or can I engage with others by asking questions or engaging in wider debate?


You can only engage with others if others wish to engage with the activity as well! However, a discussion forum for this purpose has been created and can be accessed from the 'Resources' page. If users would like to engage in this it is something the project would encourage. It is important to note that the forum cannot be monitored continually so responses to questions will come as and when others, including the project creator, has the opportunity to respond.