Sign in

OpenLiving Labs

@openlivinglabs.bsky.social
28 followers 17 following 10 posts

An Open University #nature restoration and research site in MK, regenerating a river woodland and floodplain meadow while monitoring urban #biodiversity through science, citizen science, teaching, and public engagement. openliving-lab.open.ac.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by OpenLiving Labs
Holly Woo @woointhewoods.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
A journalist in Hawaii interviewed me about my urban ancient woodlands research - here's the article she wrote about it: Utilizing historical data to understand patterns and shifts in ancient woodland species www.botany.one/utilizing-hi...
botany.one
Utilizing historical data to understand patterns and shifts in ancient woodland species
Researchers found a rise in non-native species, particularly in woodlands near urban areas, indicating potential long-term damage to these ecosystems.
021
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Out surveying our #urban #woodland today with @woointhewoods.bsky.social! Bit windy but still plenty to see out there, including this colony of ants and what looks like a deer track. #nature #biodiversity
A colony of ants with their larvae found underneath a slab of tarmac (they were covered again after!)An animal track in an urban woodland, possibly a deer. The open living labs urban woodland with our mast which collects meteorological data.
020
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
It’s spring! This blackthorn has bloomed beautifully on the living labs today, with a few others just about to burst. I am looking through this grass for a tiny tube dug into the ground. Should have flagged it at the time….
A blooming Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) showing its stunning white flowers. A patch of grass with a piece of equipment hidden somewhere!
000
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
I’ll be doing my talk at @niscifest.bsky.social at 4pm today. A few of my colleagues are here too, with the first speaker starting in 15 mins! Come along if you’re interested. #NISF #NorthernIreland #Ecologi
Setup for the NISF talks Social media interview prep!NISF
001
Reposted by OpenLiving Labs
Dr Willow Neal 🏳️‍🌈 @willowneal.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
In a few weeks I’ll be talking about #biodiversity loss, ecological restoration and urban #butterflies including the restoration work we are doing at the @openlivinglabs.bsky.social at the Northern Ireland science festival in Belfast! #NISF. It’s free! nisciencefestival.com/event/how-to...
nisciencefestival.com
How to turn urban spaces into wildlife havens | NI Science Festival
041
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Almost not working outside today (see weather), but lots of analysis completed for our bird song data so far. We will be updated the website with our findings soon!
A wet and cold view outside of the office window on the OU campus.
000
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
First day of 2026 that we are able to collect inverts to send for DNA sequencing to @sangerinstitute.bsky.social #BIOSCAN. With the snow last week it wasn’t possible, so now it’s relatively warm we can see what’s flying at the site January! #urbannature #ecology #inverts #bugsky
A malaise trap for catching insects that are used for DNA sequencing to monitor biodiversity. River Ousel looking quite full on the Open University campus.
140
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Prepping the December catch for genetic #sequencing. Most of this plate is the bug Trioza urticae, which are found in nettles and we have absolutely loads at the living labs! Interesting to see their numbers grow over the past few weeks— maybe this is the peak? #nature #entomology #genomics #BIOSCAN
A well plate filled with organisms for genetic sequencing. Most of the species pictured are the sap-sucking bug Trioza urticae.
032
Reposted by OpenLiving Labs
The Open University Library @oulibrary.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
We've just created our first Starter Pack for staff at The Open University (UK)... join us! go.bsky.app/UhqW8VR #OUfamily
457133
OpenLiving Labs @openlivinglabs.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Welcome to the official account for the OpenLiving Labs! We are a #citizenscience and #nature restoration project @ #OpenUniversity campus. Please add us to the starter packs, @openuniversity.bsky.social and @oulibrary.bsky.social! Much appreciated 🌼🦦🦋🌳 OLL website: openliving-lab.open.ac.uk
openliving-lab.open.ac.uk
OpenLiving Lab at The Open University
Digital Humanities allows scholars to approach old problems with new means, or to ask new questions that could not have been asked with the traditional means of humanistic enquiry. Whatever the approa...
262