People visiting nature reserves in Test Valley are being encouraged to take photos to help the borough council keep track of conservation efforts.

Test Valley Borough Council has announced the installation of its first Fixed Point Photography (FPP) posts at various locations.

The council is urging people to get outside and visit Test Valley's nature reserves, contributing to the monitoring of local conservation work.

By taking photos on their smartphones and sharing these with the council, visitors can assist in the preservation and monitoring of the nature reserves.

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Fixed Point Photography (FPP) posts have been installed at various locations across the borough (Image: Test Valley Borough Council) These images will provide officers with the means to observe changes occurring over time.

FPP cameras are currently being set up at Abbotswood, Anton Lakes, Bury Hill Meadows, Harewood Common, Ladies Walk, OxDrove, Rooksbury Mill and Mill Lane Meadows.

Additional installations are planned for Valley Park, Tadburn and Charlton Lakes in the next few months.

Cllr Alison Johnston, cabinet member for climate emergency and countryside, said: "The introduction of Fixed-Point Photography across key sites in the borough represents an innovative and collaborative approach to environmental conservation.

"By involving the public in monitoring landscape changes, Test Valley Borough Council aims to gain valuable insights into the ecological shifts occurring in these vital habitats.

"The data gathered will play a crucial role in the ongoing management and preservation of these natural spaces, helping to ensure that they are protected for future generations."

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New signage at each location asks visitors to place their smartphones in the cradle and take a photo.

Sharing these images with the council will allow them to create a time-lapse of environmental changes in each area.

This information will then be used to manage the countryside spaces more effectively.

At Harewood Common, the photography will allow the council to monitor the development of new woodland and wildflower seeding carried out at the site.

At Valley Park, woodland management will take place to create a more varied habitat, allowing light in and ground flora to flourish.

The council's initiative aims to give the community a hands-on role in the conservation of their local environment, offering a unique opportunity to document and understand the evolving landscape in real-time.