The Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) is calling on local residents to become citizen scientists as part of the Big Count project, running from June 18 to June 27. This initiative aims to gather vital data on local wildlife, including common species such as snails and foxes, to enhance conservation efforts. Becky Fisher, head of engagement at SWT, emphasized the importance of knowing the locations and populations of various species, stating, "We can only protect them when we know where they are and how many we have." The project encourages participants to log sightings of not only snails and foxes but also rabbits, slow worms, and butterfly varieties like the Marbled White. Observations can be made using the iNaturalist app or through a worksheet that can be emailed to organizers. The data collected will be invaluable for assessing species trends and directing future conservation efforts, according to Ellen Phillpot from the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC), which partners with SWT on this project. With over four million data records already held, SERC highlights the ongoing need for more records to support wildlife conservation in Somerset.