Getting Started

Here are a few suggestions on where you can find help with your new hobby from where to buy your toolkits bits to how you can join in and help the natural world and its biodiversity here in our own home town:

1. "Community & Help"

• iSpot: Best for beginners who want a "mentor" feel and guided learning.

• iNaturalist: Best for contributing to global science and seeing what's being found in the Sid Valley.

2. The "Codes of Conduct"

• The Countryside Code: Respect, Protect, Enjoy

• The Marine & Coastal Code: Crucial for those exploring the base of the cliffs or the shoreline at Jacob's Ladder.

3. Equipment & Support (The Shops)

• RSPB Shop: Great for bird-specific guides and high-quality binoculars.

• Wildlife Trusts Shop: Excellent for general UK nature guides and "beginner kits."

4. Local Interest

• Sid Valley Biodiversity Group: Promoting & Enhancing The Natural Beauty of the Sid Valley

• The Sid Vale Association (SVA): Active land ownership and management in our own backyard

• Devon Wildlife Trust: The county specialists in all things ‘wild’

• Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC): For those who want to see how their records help Devon-specific conservation.