12 October 2010

National Moth Night has become a national institution since it started in 1999. It has proved hugely successful with over 1000 sites returning records annually, hundreds of public events introducing newcomers to the wonders of moth recording, and massive media coverage raising awareness of the much-maligned moth. Many thanks to all those who have taken part and helped achieve this success.

Now the event has reached a crossroads. The cycle of repeated NMN events in different months of the year has been completed and, as the event has grown, so have the resources required to manage NMN, to the point that it is not sustainable in its current format. Atropos and Butterfly Conservation have agreed that there will be no National Moth Night in 2011. The time will be used instead to regroup, reconfigure and reinvigorate NMN in preparation for the 2012 event.

If you have suggestions for the future of NMN, we would be very glad to receive them via views@nationalmothnight.info. Please be assured that your views will be considered, but we regret that we will not be able to respond individually to such emails.

In the meantime, please remember to submit your records for NMN 2010 before 1^st December. National Moth Night will return in 2012 and a date will be announced in due course.

Atropos and Butterfly Conservation

Image of moth recorders by Jim Asher