Help us to monitor changes in the landscape with Fixed Point Photography
Test Valley Borough Council has installed its first Fixed Point Photography (FPP) posts at locations across the borough this half term. And we're encouraging people to get outside and visit Test Valley's beautiful nature reserves and to help us monitor the success of local conservation work.
You can help us to monitor and preserve local nature reserves and the success of conservation work by taking photos on your smartphone and sharing these with us. Officers will use these images to monitor the changes that take place over time.
FPP cameras are being installed this week at Abbotswood, Anton Lakes, Bury Hill Meadows, Harewood Common, Ladies Walk, OxDrove, Rooksbury Mill, Mill Lane Meadows. They’ll also be added at Valley Park, Tadburn and Charlton Lakes in the next few months.
Councillor Alison Johnston, Cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Countryside, said: “The introduction of Fixed-Point Photography across key sites in the borough represents an innovative and collaborative approach to environmental conservation.
“By involving the public in monitoring landscape changes, Test Valley Borough Council aims to gain valuable insights into the ecological shifts occurring in these vital habitats.
“The data gathered will play a crucial role in the ongoing management and preservation of these natural spaces, helping to ensure that they are protected for future generations.”
New signage at each location asks visitors to place their smartphone in the cradle and take a photo. If you can share your photos wth us, we'll be able to create a time lapse of changes to the environment in each area. This information will then be used to help better management of our countryside spaces.
At Harewood Common, for example, the photography will allow us to monitor the development of new woodland and wildflower seeding carried out at the site.
At Valley Park, woodland management will take place to create a more varied habitat, allowing light in and ground flora to flourish.