What makes Springwatch special?
| 13:10 UK time, Wednesday, 4 June 2008
During Springwatch I spend a lot of time doing interviews on the radio. It's great that so many national and local radio stations take such an interest in Springwatch. In fact, this year ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ local radio has gone further than ever in their involvement in Springwatch by setting up Springwatch Action Teams (S.W.A.Ts) in each of their local areas, as well as supporting a number of Springwatch / Breathing Places Festivals - all happening THIS WEEKEND.
The Springwatch Action Teams (some of which require volunteers - yes, you! - check the web site via the link above) will be busy transforming run-down, neglected or unloved parts of community areas into "breathing places" - areas that will be great for wildlife and for people too. Brilliant stuff. I want to thank everyone in advance for helping set these up, and for going along, getting involved and doing something really practical that is going to make a difference to wildlife in their local area. That's what Springwatch is all about - not only celebrating our wonderful wildlife, but getting involved and doing your bit to help out.
I am often asked in radio interviews "What makes Springwatch special ?".
Obviously our wonderful (and wholly unique!) combination of presenters makes an enormous contribution to its success. It's also the "liveness" of the whole event, with daily animal dramas being played out in real time to an audience of millions, thanks to all of our nest cameras, webcams and daily field reports.
The other thing that makes Springwatch not only special, but also virtually unique in broadcasting, is how much YOU, the audience, make Springwatch yours by getting stuck in, getting involved and making a contribution yourselves. Inspired by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Breathing Places campaign, you're getting out and "Doing One Thing" for nature in your gardens and local patches. You'll no doubt be joining in with Springwatch Action Teams and Springwatch / Breathing Places Festivals this weekend. And you share with us the wonderful (and often downright bizarre!) footage of British wildlife antics that you have shot yourselves. We love showing the best of your home videos, so please keep 'em coming!
But the one part of the essence of Springwatch that is almost entirely owned and run by you, the audience, is the message boards. If you haven't come across these yet, you really should click through the links here and have a look for yourself.
This year we have a special webcam message board for those of you who want to follow the live action, talk to our team of "story developers" who monitor our cameras 21 hours a day, and make observations of your own - all in real time / as it happens. This is always a very alive and active conversation that often makes it back into the TV show.
Then there is the general Springwatch message board which is a bit more like a traditional web forum, where anyone can bring a question or observation to a group of fully engaged, like-minded individuals. The Springwatch team feed into this every now and then, when required, but this is now largely a community that runs itself. Amazing.
And if you think these message boards are just populated by a handful of people talking amongst themselves, think again. Just look at the stats. By Wednesday morning, less than two weeks after the message boards fired into life, there have been over 26,000 postings. The other night, I checked the message board at 9.40pm and in the 40 minutes since that night's broadcast ended, no less than 80 new threads (i.e : conversations) had been started. That's one new conversation every 30 seconds. You lot really are engaged with Springwatch, and you are prolific! We love it!
There's another thing about the Springwatch message boards that I really like. Many "online forums" are quite exclusive little clubs, where "outsiders" and newbies aren't necessarily that welcome to join the conversation. But on Springwatch the vibe seems to be different. There's a sense that anyone can join in, no matter who they are, how much they know or what their background is. Have a look at this message board thread to see new people being warmly welcomed into the Springwatch family. I was so proud to see this happen because, for me, this sits at the heart of the ethos of Springwatch. Join in and get involved - whoever you are. UK wildlife is ours to enjoy and share.
So .... to those of you who are new to the internet world of blogs and boards and webcams, don't be put off, it's easy to join in. Try sticking a toe in and see what happens.
And to those message board veterans who have been with us over the last few years and whose regular contributions have made Springwatch special - to SuffolkLiz, SkylarkAscends, Jillpud, Toadletfan, milvus999, JonFletcher, Foxbumble, Norfolkbird, Ratboy, Normylass58, Jazzy_Nature and the rest - keep it coming and welcome in those newbies. You are now just as much part of the Springwatch Experience as Bill and Kate and Simon and our daily animal characters. We salute you !
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