Back in September 2023, when I joined the TFT team, the idea of doing a Tour for in person training with our future Citizen Scientists was very palpable. I thought it would be super easy to go up and down the UK. Oh how wrong I was!
We visited 9 different places in 2 weeks; we had early mornings and late nights. We forgot to have lunch on a set day, I left my phone charger at home and neither of us were ready for travelling with a little smelly spaniel called Lion. But we had not forgotten to have fun!
(c) Rich Baybutt
Over the days of discovering Scotland, the Midlands, South Wales and London, Dom, Lion and I soon got in the dynamic of waking up early, and getting on the road again. Most days, we were greeted by an amazingly unique set of trails, radiant sun and smiles on everyone's faces. We had great discussions with all the participants, conducted a Trash Count and Trash Survey everywhere we went and collected over a thousand items of single-use pollution.
Diving straight into science was the best part, in my opinion! It allowed us to really notice the differences in each location, and set the stage for this incredible two-year study these committed groups of volunteers are on. It’s awesome to already see some of them go on to do their first solo monitoring session!
(c) Rich Baybutt
What made the Tour so special is how much we learned from our participants. While we were greeted mostly with enthusiasm, we found very refreshing how open, honest and willing to laugh everyone really was. The idea that doing scientific research could be fun was strange to some, but soon many realised that all we were doing was noting down observations that we, the curious animals that we are, observe regardless.
This ongoing pattern that we noticed in every community during the days opened our eyes to something we already knew: spending time outdoors makes us feel good. I strongly believe it is this good feeling which allows us to do good research. Although you might look at the graphs and see a line that moves across variables, I can see time spent, smiles, conversations and deepening connections.
(c) Rich Baybutt
I’m happy to say now that we have 9 fully equipped and excited Citizen Science Communities across the UK. But I feel even prouder to say that there are now 9 places where I have friends, and where my footprints will remain until the rain washes them off. Really, this Tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left as much a mark on me, as on the participants!
Thank you so much to all of those who made this possible - especially our partnership ecosystem Trek Bikes, Bosch eBike Systems, The North Face x European Outdoor Conservation Association, Red Bull, Komoot, Orbea, People's Postcode Lottery and Wild Camper Trucks. See you soon <3
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