Local groups are run by people from a range of amateur and professional backgrounds who work together with a shared enthusiasm to study and conserve their local mammals.
They can cover all mammals or focus on a particular species, and they provide invaluable local expertise as well as collecting vital records to tell us more about local mammal populations.
Click on your nearest region to find a group local to you:
ENGLAND - South East, South West, Midlands, East Anglia, North England, SCOTLAND, WALES
The Aims of Local Mammal Groups are:
- To bring together people of all ages and experience who have a shared interest in mammals;
- To encourage the study and conservation of mammals in the local area;
- To find out which mammals are present in the area and in what numbers by surveying and monitoring;
- To raise awareness of mammals and the threats they face, through talks, events and publicity;
- To provide advice and practical help with conserving threatened species in the area;
- To organise training in identification, surveys and methods of surveying mammals in the wild;
- To support the work of The Mammal Society and recruit new members.
Affiliate membership for Local Groups
Local Groups can become an Affiliated Member of the Mammal Society online to take advantage of an expert support network and exclusive discounts on our training and events.
From only £30 a year, Affiliated Member Groups receive:
- Contact with local and national experts in mammalogy for advice and support
- A comprehensive list of speakers for your events (under development)
- An opportunity to participate in our national surveys, with access to the Longworth Trap Loan Scheme
- Publicity on our website and in our monthly e-bulletin
- Our members' magazine Mammal News three times a year, with the opportunity to appear in a featured article about your latest activities, and any achievements or other important news
- Discounts for two named local group members on our training courses and events
- A 33% discount on your publications and equipment orders over £20 for resale at your events
- Use of the Society's logo, name and marketing materials at local events, to gain support, publicity and national recognition as part of The Mammal Society
- Free Charity Care insurance when carrying out work on behalf of the Society, e.g. when holding local events or participating in our surveys, etc.
Cant find a group near you?
If you are interested in founding a mammal group in your area, you don't need to be an expert to do so.
All you need is enthusiasm and time.
For help and information, see our Guidance for Setting Up a Local Group, including a good practice example from Kent Mammal Group.
***New Groups - Help them get started!***
Grampian Mammal Group
Contact: Hollie Walker, Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels Project Officer for the North East of Scotland - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Grampians occupy a large proportion of the Scottish Highlands in North East Scotland, and Hollie aims to unite mammal researchers/ project officers across the region, so as to share ideas and resources. An additional aim is to create a network for setting up work experience positions for students and people seeking employment within the environmental sector. Contact Hollie for more information and to help get the group up and running.
ENGLAND - South East
Hampshire Mammal Group hosted by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Hampshire Mammal Group is co-ordinated by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust. The main objectives of the group are to promote the conservation of all threatened mammals and their habitats in Hampshire and establish and monitor their distribution.
The Kent Mammal Group have straightforward yet important aims: to raise awareness of the plight of the County’s mammals and promote the recording and study of mammals in Kent.
Lee Valley Bat Group 'Lee Valley Bats' is a voluntary group devoted to bat appreciation; training; education; detection and welfare, arranging bat outings; activities and surveys.
Surrey Mammal Group hosted by the Surrey Biodiversity Partnership
The group works in partnership with the local dormouse and bat groups to bring people together and encourage the conservation of the county's mammals.
Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre which includes the local mammal groups for East and West Sussex.
ENGLAND - South West
Cornwall Mammal Group working in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Environmental Recording Centre for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Cornwall Mammal Group celebrated its birthday in October 2009 by holding a Mammal Fun Day. More than 300 adults and children enjoyed a variety of games and activities designed to teach them about local mammals. Read Sarah Hodge's press release Mammal Fun Day - Fun in the Sun.
The Devon Mammal Group was formed in 1999 by a keen group of like-minded people all with an interest in furthering the conservation of mammals within the county and further afield.
Dorset Environmental Records Centre working with the Dorset Wildlife Trust which includes an Otter Group
Terrestrial and aquatic mammal records are collated by the County Recorder for mammals, John Stobart. Marine mammals are also recorded for the county.
Bristol and Gloucestershire Mammal Group
Following the success of their first meeting, leading to the formation of the group in early 2010, the group is organising another get together for anybody who would like to help out with their Otter survey project or chat about the future of the group.
ENGLAND - Midlands
We welcome new members to the group, so feel free to get involved by coming along to one of our organised events or contact us for more details. Alternatively, get involved by sending us your mammal records. Records can be from anywhere in Derbyshire and needn't be recent. Read the group's Autumn 2009 newsletter here
The Shropshire Mammal Group was established on 16th of March 2009 with a formal launch event held on 26th September 2009. The group has been set up to further the study of mammals in Shropshire and promote appropriate conservation measures. Most meetings of the group will be outdoor field visits and are advertised on the website.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th January 2010, Alton.
The first conference of the Staffordshire Mammal Group was a great success. From all corners of the country, 52 members, guests and speakers turned up to discuss BAP species. The polecat, pine marten, dormouse, otter and vole were all the focus of the day. On the Sunday, a group attended a winter walk through the Churnet Valley looking at pine marten and dormouse boxes and tracked mammal footprints in the snow, finding signs of 10 different species. Derek Yalden presented a museum-standard mount of various mammal pelages, used for a fun mammal quiz.
Keep up to date with the Group's Activites by visiting their blog.
ENGLAND - East Anglia
Norfolk & Norwich Naturalist Society with an active Bat Group and proposed Mammal Group
Norfolk’s oldest natural history organisation - dedicated to conserving the county's wildlife for the past 140 years.
ENGLAND - North
Cheshire Mammal Group hosted by RECORD
Established in 2001, the Cheshire Mammal Group (CMaG) aims to encourage the study, conservation and raise awareness of mammal species in the Cheshire region.
Merseyside and West Lancashire Mammal Group
The group want to promote an awareness of the wild mammals of the Merseyside and West Lancashire region and work in partnership with other like minded people and organisations.
Northumbria Mammal Group hosted by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust
If you are interested in mammals and their conservation, then the Northumbria Mammal Group is for you! The group, linked with the north east’s Wildlife Trusts and the Natural History Society of Northumbria, is small yet active, offering surveys, field trips, walks and talks.
Sorby (Sheffield) Mammal and Bat Group
The Yorkshire Mammal Group (YMG) was established in 1970 and aims to promote the scientific study of mammals and to encourage a wider public interest in them, particularly in Yorkshire.
The YMG holds indoor meetings in York on the first Thursday of each month from October to June inclusive. Meetings commence at 7.00 pm; please see their website for the venue by clicking on the logo or name.
WALES
Montgomeryshire Mammal Group, run by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust will soon be up and running!
Radnorshire Mammal Groups promotes mammal recording and awareness of the county's mammals.
Snowdonia Mammal Group / Grwp Mamaliaid Eryri
The group, set up in November 1994, now has a website and programme of activities for 2010, so visit the site today to get involved with the group's many activities. Membership is free and open to everyone, particularly students undertaking projects on mammals. The groups works towards the Snowdonia National Park Biodiversity Action Plan.
Wales Mammal Group/ Grwp Mamaliaid Cymru
The Wales Mammal Group (WMG) is a Wales-based non-profit making organization established to further the conservation of mammals throughout Wales. We were founded in 2004 by Geoff Liles, Kate Williamson, Dan Forman, Jean Matthews and Rob Colley, and launched at our first Wales Mammals Conference in March 2005.
SCOTLAND
More Local Groups to be added soon.
The Mammal Society does not manage the above websites and is not responsible for their content. The links are monitored regularly, but please let us know if you find any that do not work.
Photos at top of page by Brian Phipps ; www.brianphipps.net ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
