Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL)
Encyclopedia
The Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL) is a partnership initiative throughout England that aims to get the public more involved with nature through a range of local and national projects. The initiative is being funded by the Big Lottery Fund
Changing Spaces Programme.
The portfolio of partners includes nine regional universities, the Natural History Museum
, the Open University
, the Field Studies Council
, the Meteorological Office, the National Biodiversity Network, the Royal Parks and the Environment Agency
. The lead partner is Imperial College, London.
From 2009-2011, OPAL will be conducting six national surveys on soil, water quality, air quality, climate, biodiversity and invertebrates. By involving the public in scientific research, the hope is to collect a vast amount of data that can be used to build up a picture of England's natural environment. Additionally, it hopes to inspire the public into becoming more involved in nature.
at Imperial College London. It has been supported by a number of celebrities including Steve Leonard
and Chris Packham
. The survey aims to learn more about soil and earthworm distribution in England and the effects that humans are having on soil quality. People are asked to upload their findings directly onto the OPAL website. Survey results will be analysed by the OPAL Soil Centre
at Imperial College London who are also coordinating the survey.
(UCL). The survey asks people to go pond-dipping and identify the invertebrates living in their local pond or lake. Using this information they can then find out how polluted the water is, as some creatures are more tolearnt of pollution than others. Results are collected online and will help scientists learn more about lakes and ponds across England.
(OU). The survey asks the public to investigate their hedges and look for invertebrates and other signs of wildlife. Hedges are incresdibly important habitats for many creatures and the survey hopes to raise awareness and learn more about life in hedges across the country.
. It asks people to look for contrails in the sky, estimate their thermal comfort, and measure wind using bubbles.
The results will help us learn more about the ways we affect our climate, and how we may adapt to it.
1. OPAL North West - University of Central Lancashire
2. OPAL North East - University of Newcastle
3. OPAL York and Humber - University of York
4. OPAL East Midlands - University of Nottingham
5. OPAL West Midlands - University of Birmingham
6. OPAL East of England - University of Hertfordshire
7. OPAL London - Imperial College London
8. OPAL South East - Imperial College London
9. OPAL South West - University of Plymouth
10. OPAL Air Quality Centre - Imperial College London
11. OPAL Aquatic Bio-monitoring Programme - University College London
12. OPAL Water Centre - University College London
13. OPAL Soil Centre - Imperial College London
14. Climate Change Education Centre - Met Office
15. OPAL Climate Change Research Centre - Imperial College London
16. Parks - Royal Parks
17. OPAL Learning Packs - Field Studies Council
18. Infrastructure for Data Exchange - National Biodiversity Network Trust
19. OPAL Communications Office - Natural History Museum
20. OPAL Portal - Natural History Museum
21. OPAL Exhibitions and Community Led Celebrations - Natural History Museum
22. Bio-buses Community Outreach Vehicles and support materials - Natural History Museum
23. Bio-diversity Observatory: Co-ordination and Outreach - Open University
24. Biodiversity Observatory: Software and Accessibility Design and Implementation - Open University
25. OPAL Bayesian Keys - Open University
26. Mentoring and Online Support for Biodiversity - Open University
27. Online Community Building for the Biodiversity Observatory - Open University
28. Neighbourhood Nature Educational Course - Open University
29. Supporting and Enabling Amateur Natural History Societies - Natural History Museum
30. The Naming of Things - The OPAL Taxonomic Support Programme - Natural History Museum
31. State of the Environment Report - Imperial College London
Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund is a grant-making non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom created by the Government to administer the funding of "good causes" following the creation of the National Lottery. It has an annual expenditure of £630 million...
Changing Spaces Programme.
The portfolio of partners includes nine regional universities, the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
, the Field Studies Council
Field Studies Council
The Field Studies Council is an educational charity based in the UK. It opened its first Field Centre in 1947 at Flatford Mill, and now operates 17 Field Centres in various locations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland offering both residential and non-residential field courses...
, the Meteorological Office, the National Biodiversity Network, the Royal Parks and the Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
. The lead partner is Imperial College, London.
From 2009-2011, OPAL will be conducting six national surveys on soil, water quality, air quality, climate, biodiversity and invertebrates. By involving the public in scientific research, the hope is to collect a vast amount of data that can be used to build up a picture of England's natural environment. Additionally, it hopes to inspire the public into becoming more involved in nature.
Soil and earthworm survey
The OPAL soil and earthworm survey launched in March 2009 by the OPAL Soil CentreOPAL Soil Centre
The OPAL Soil Centre is one of five centres of expertise under the Open Air Laboratories Network . The OPAL Soil Centre is based at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London...
at Imperial College London. It has been supported by a number of celebrities including Steve Leonard
Steve Leonard
Stephen "Steve" Leonard is a British veterinarian and television personality.-Early life:Leonard's family moved to Cheshire, from Northern Ireland, when he was six weeks old....
and Chris Packham
Chris Packham
Christopher George "Chris" Packham is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author. He is the brother of fashion designer, Jenny Packham...
. The survey aims to learn more about soil and earthworm distribution in England and the effects that humans are having on soil quality. People are asked to upload their findings directly onto the OPAL website. Survey results will be analysed by the OPAL Soil Centre
OPAL Soil Centre
The OPAL Soil Centre is one of five centres of expertise under the Open Air Laboratories Network . The OPAL Soil Centre is based at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London...
at Imperial College London who are also coordinating the survey.
Air survey
The OPAL air survey launched in September 2009 and is being coordinated by Imperial College London. The survey asks people to look for lichens on trees and tar spot fungus on sycamore leaves and then record their results online. It is hoped the large scale survey will help scientists learn more about the effects of air pollution. the survey is being supported by a number of organisations including the British Lichen Society.Water survey
The OPAL water survey launched in May 2010 and is being coordinated by University College LondonUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL). The survey asks people to go pond-dipping and identify the invertebrates living in their local pond or lake. Using this information they can then find out how polluted the water is, as some creatures are more tolearnt of pollution than others. Results are collected online and will help scientists learn more about lakes and ponds across England.
Biodiversity survey
The OPAL biodiversity survey launched in September 2010 and is being coordinated by the Open UniversityOpen University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
(OU). The survey asks the public to investigate their hedges and look for invertebrates and other signs of wildlife. Hedges are incresdibly important habitats for many creatures and the survey hopes to raise awareness and learn more about life in hedges across the country.
Climate survey
The OPAL climate survey launched in March 2011 and is being coordinated by the Met OfficeMet Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
. It asks people to look for contrails in the sky, estimate their thermal comfort, and measure wind using bubbles.
The results will help us learn more about the ways we affect our climate, and how we may adapt to it.
Bugs Count
Bugs Count is the 6th OPAL survey and will launch in June 2011. It aims to collect data on bugs and other invertebrates that live all around us.Projects and partners
OPAL comprises a total of 31 projects. These projects are listed below, together with the institution (OPAL partner) responsible for the project's delivery.1. OPAL North West - University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
2. OPAL North East - University of Newcastle
3. OPAL York and Humber - University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
4. OPAL East Midlands - University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
5. OPAL West Midlands - University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
6. OPAL East of England - University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
7. OPAL London - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
8. OPAL South East - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
9. OPAL South West - University of Plymouth
University of Plymouth
Plymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...
10. OPAL Air Quality Centre - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
11. OPAL Aquatic Bio-monitoring Programme - University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
12. OPAL Water Centre - University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
13. OPAL Soil Centre - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
14. Climate Change Education Centre - Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
15. OPAL Climate Change Research Centre - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
16. Parks - Royal Parks
17. OPAL Learning Packs - Field Studies Council
Field Studies Council
The Field Studies Council is an educational charity based in the UK. It opened its first Field Centre in 1947 at Flatford Mill, and now operates 17 Field Centres in various locations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland offering both residential and non-residential field courses...
18. Infrastructure for Data Exchange - National Biodiversity Network Trust
19. OPAL Communications Office - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
20. OPAL Portal - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
21. OPAL Exhibitions and Community Led Celebrations - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
22. Bio-buses Community Outreach Vehicles and support materials - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
23. Bio-diversity Observatory: Co-ordination and Outreach - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
24. Biodiversity Observatory: Software and Accessibility Design and Implementation - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
25. OPAL Bayesian Keys - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
26. Mentoring and Online Support for Biodiversity - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
27. Online Community Building for the Biodiversity Observatory - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
28. Neighbourhood Nature Educational Course - Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
29. Supporting and Enabling Amateur Natural History Societies - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
30. The Naming of Things - The OPAL Taxonomic Support Programme - Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
31. State of the Environment Report - Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...