A Rocha UK opens registrations for Churches Count on Nature 2026 — and invites every churchyard to join
The Christian conservation charity is calling on churches across England and Wales to record wildlife in their churchyards this June, as part of a nationwide biodiversity survey.
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Churchyards are among the most biodiverse habitats in England and Wales. Many have never been treated with pesticides, and their combination of old stone, long grass, and ancient trees provides a sanctuary for species that have disappeared from the surrounding countryside. Now A Rocha UK is inviting every church to discover — and document — what is living in theirs.
Registrations are now open for Churches Count on Nature 2026, a nationwide biodiversity survey running from 6 to 14 June. The initiative, run by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, asks churches to record the plant and animal species found in their churchyards and green spaces during that week.
The data gathered feeds into national biodiversity records and helps churches understand how to manage their land for nature. But the benefits go beyond the scientific: participants consistently report that the exercise deepens their congregation's sense of connection to creation and to the God who made it.
'Churchyards are a treasure,' said A Rocha UK's Churches Count on Nature coordinator. 'Many congregations have no idea what is living right outside their door. When people start looking, they are almost always surprised and delighted — and that delight often becomes a commitment to care.'
The survey is designed to be accessible to everyone, from experienced naturalists to complete beginners. A Rocha UK provides identification guides, recording sheets, and support for those who want it. Churches can record anything from common species like robins and dandelions to rarer finds like orchids or bats.
For churches wanting to go further, A Rocha UK offers the Eco Church award scheme, which recognises congregations that are taking creation care seriously across all aspects of church life — from worship to buildings to community engagement.
Registration for Churches Count on Nature 2026 is free and takes only a few minutes at arocha.org.uk. The survey week falls during the school half-term in many areas, making it an ideal opportunity to involve children and families.