One of the CHI project targets was to work with natural history groups to recruit new recorders, develop skills and generate data of relevance to the local Biodiversity Action Plan and Leicestershire Environmental Record Centre users.

CHI worked with local natural history groups delivering a range of projects, details of which are listed below.

CHI worked with the East Midlands Branch of Butterfly Conservation (BC) and the County Recorder to produce a community recording survey pack. This included fact sheets and an ID guide to common butterflies. A programme of events were also organised which supported the project and complemented the work of BC and the local natural history group. Topics covered included transect recording, identification, caterpillars, recording packages and general interest walks.

The project promoted access to the County's unique butterfly collections and six of the collections were used to facilitate identification and recording.

A display case containing images and items connected to butterfly study was put together. This was exhibited at five libraries which included Oakham, Blaby, Coalville, Hinckley and Melton Mowbray. Over 1,500 people saw the display including a learning disabilities group who used it for a discussion project.

Spawn Spot was launched by the Community Heritage Initiative (CHI) in 2005 at the request of the Leicestershire Amphibian and Reptile Network (LARN).  Amphibians are good indicators of the health of the environment so any changes in numbers can warn us of unfavourable changes to our countryside. Spawn spotting is a good way to count the number of frogs and toads and helps conservationists assess population sizes. People were asked to count the clumps of frogspawn or strings of toad spawn laid in ponds.

Each year the Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS) carries out surveys for the bird species that feature in the Leicester and Rutland Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). In 2006 CHI worked with LROS to produce a bird survey leaflet promoting the recording of the BAP species; barn owl, nightingale, redstart and sand martin. People were asked to send in all sightings of these species.

CHI also used the opportunity to promote bird recording and encourage people to record birds they saw in the gardens. A touring exhibition case was created which focused on the decline of the house sparrow, highlighting the importance of recording.

CHI worked with the Leicestershire and Rutland Bat Group on training and group development. After support from CHI the group was awarded £4600 from Better Communities to develop a new Village Bat Project  and also received £500 from the Ken Chamberlain Trust to produce display boards and purchase specialist equipment for bat surveying.

Three village bat training events were organised in Braunstone, Swithland and Market Bosworth. involving 43 people. The aim was to offer the public the opportunity to gain skills in bat ID to enable them to get involved in bat surveys in their parishes. During one of the sessions a new bat roost was discovered.

A new website was developed by CHI for the LRBG www.lrbatgroup.org.uk. This included an enquiry page so members of the public could contact LRGB with any bat enquiries.

Leicestershire County Council’s design team in consultation with LRBG designed a new leaflet for the group to use for publicity and promotion.

A travelling display was developed aimed at dispelling the myths surrounding bats. The display was the most popular one CHI has developed and toured nine venues in Leicestershire and Rutland including Oakham Castle.

The group wanted to involve more people in sett surveying and CHI assisted the group in preparing and running the training. A sett surveying training day was organised which was attended by 11 people. The session covered topics such as the ecology and behaviour of badgers, track signs and taking grid references for surveying. A practical outdoor session was also included. Four of those who attended went onto volunteer with the group.

Fish Finders was developed with the County Recorder for fish with support from the Environment Agency who supplied photographs for the survey.  Six species were selected which were good environmental indicators and relatively easy to identify. Although recorders were invited to send in records of any other fish they saw.

In spite of targeting the angling community the initial take up of the survey was slow with only a handful of forms being returned.