Butterfly Conservation calls on the public for help

With rising temperatures, butterflies are returning to the countryside London – Arab Today After butterflies suffered their worst year in 2012, the Butterfly Conservation is urging people to help with the world’s largest butterfly survey. With the rising temperatures in the UK, butterflies are returning to the countryside.
The Big Butterfly Count launched this Thursday by Sir David Attenborough and Joanna Lumley will help determine if the species can recover after 2012, reported British newspaper The Guardian.
"Butterflies are vitally important. Their presence acts as a barometer of the health of our environment. Their ongoing decline tells us that all is not well in the British countryside. Future generations may not be lucky enough to see butterflies in the same numbers we will experience this summer” explained Attenborough.
The count will open on Friday with two teams across Hampshire and Sussex, racing to find the most species in one day. The butterfly race, organised by Dan Danahar of Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton is supported by Marks & Spencer.
Joanna Lumley, M&S Plan A Ambassador, said that the Big Butterfly Count “is a wonderful way for us all to play our part to look after the environment and help to support butterflies. Just 15 minutes is all it takes to make a difference and we hope all of our farmers, customers and employees will take part.”
The Guardian reported that experts hoped to find more than 30 of UK’s 59 butterfly species in a single day, after the warm start to July. Others who would like to help can download a butterfly identification guide on www.bigbutterflycount.org and log sightings.