Digging Deeper Together: Reflections on Running Biodiversity Focus Groups

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to run two focus groups with allotment holders as part of a wider citizen science project focused on biodiversity monitoring. The aim was to bring people together to share thoughts, concerns, and ideas about the biodiversity on their plots, and how they might want to engage with monitoring it in future as part of the CUAB programme.

These sessions took place at the St Ann's allotments visitor centre with members of the St Ann's allotment community, and were designed to be relaxed, open conversations rather than formal consultations. We met in a familiar, comfortable space (with tea, coffee and biscuits, of course) and the atmosphere was warm and reflective. For me, it was a chance not only to gather valuable insights, but also to see firsthand just how knowledgeable, observant, and deeply connected many growers are to their local environments.

Each group brought together a mix of voices, experiences, and perspectives, some who’ve managed allotments for decades, and others much newer to growing. What united them was a shared care for the land and a thoughtful curiosity about the wildlife that shares it. From pollinators and birds to frogs, fungi, and less visible soil life, people spoke with genuine attentiveness and concern.

Running these workshops proved to be incredibly useful for the programme. Rather than starting with assumptions, we were able to co-create a picture of what biodiversity means in this context, how people are already noticing and recording changes, and what support they’d need to feel confident taking part in a citizen science approach. Key themes emerged around flexibility, ease of use, and the importance of fitting activities into existing rhythms of allotment life.

Importantly, the focus groups also surfaced anxieties and challenges, like concerns about species decline or difficulties using digital tools, that we can now address directly in the programme’s design. It was a reminder that the success of citizen science doesn’t just rest on data collection, but on relationships, and respect for people’s time, knowledge, and capacity. These kinds of conversations are crucial to shaping an inclusive, grounded approach. I’m excited to build on them in the next stage of the programme and immensely grateful to everyone who came, shared, and shaped what’s to come.