I am an emeritus Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Sussex where I taught ecology and did research in insect ecology and conservation. Starting with a childhood interest in birds then plants then insects, I have been active in biological recording for as long as I can remember, having been part of the original Co-ordinating Commission on Biological Recording (CCBR).  I have run the national recording scheme for the Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and related groups) for many years, which currently holds about 150,000 records for over 420 species, and I am a verifier for them on iRecord. I am also heavily involved in conservation and recording at the local level, having been a trustee of the Sussex Wildlife Trust for many years, chairman of their conservation committee and also chairman of the steering group for the Sussex Biological Record Centre. I particularly want to see better support and recognition for the small-to-medium sized recording schemes and local record centres.