The idea for Catch Me If You CAM arose while Dr Keri Langridge was camera trapping with a local primary school for the elusive Scottish wildcat as part of her work with Scottish Wildcat Action. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the project, but many were unable to identify even common species such as wood pigeons. Dr Langridge entered the Earthwatch competition ‘Lost connection – how can we re-engage people with nature?’ in September 2016, and won a £5,000 grant to take her camera-trap project forward.
“Our organisation aims to empower people to save our planet through hands-on science,” says Steve Gray, Chief Executive of Earthwatch Europe. “Catch Me If You CAM provides a great opportunity to get young people engaged with their local wildlife, build a sense of community and learn how research projects are carried out.”