Who's eligible?
Currently available to individuals, families, community groups, educational programmes and small grassroots charities based in the UK.
Trail Cam Collective
Camera trap loan scheme
Join our Trail Cam Collective, a unique scheme by NatureSpy that loans camera traps to individuals and small groups.
Whether it's for local wildlife discovery, ecotherapy, or aiding small conservation projects, we're aiming to make wildlife monitoring more accessible.
Our Trail Cam Collective loan scheme is currently paused for new applications while we catch up with recent requests — thanks for your interest, and watch this space, we'll be back soon!
We're passionate about helping people connect with nature and their local green spaces.
Our Trail Cam Collective loan scheme is tailored to foster this connection by making wildlife monitoring more accessible, bringing individuals, groups, and communities closer to nature.
Through camera trap loans, we want to make wildlife monitoring more accessible for those seeking to explore and understand their local wildlife. This may include learning about a particular species or habitat, engaging in a small conservation project, or seeking personal enrichment or ecotherapy outcomes.
Our goal
To create a ripple effect of positive change — enabling a deeper appreciation of the wildlife that shares our environment, forming lasting bonds with local ecosystems and fostering a community of conservation advocates.
This scheme focuses on personal and community-level wildlife engagement and stands apart from our larger conservation project collaborations. For broader projects or extensive collaboration, see our Project Partnerships.
ELIGIBILITY
The scheme is inclusive and welcoming to people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. Whether you're an avid nature enthusiast or someone new to wildlife monitoring, our camera trap loan scheme offers an opportunity for connection with local wildlife and green spaces.
Wildlife watching only
Trail cameras provided must be used solely for wildlife watching purposes.
Research limitation
Not suitable for scientific research, as individuals or projects borrowing multiple cameras will receive a variety of models.
HOW THE LOAN PROCESS WORKS
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Cost
We do not charge for borrowing trail camera equipment, and we cover the postage costs to and from your location. Battery costs lie with the borrower — all cameras in the scheme run on 6–8x AA batteries.
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Models
Camera models cannot be chosen, but all cameras in our scheme are good quality — most are Browning, Bushnell or NatureSpy models — and regularly tested by our team. These traditional trail cameras use SD cards, which we provide with each camera.
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Quantity & duration
A maximum of 10 trail cameras per loan, for up to 12 weeks. Loan duration is evaluated case by case, considering the number of cameras needed and current demand. During quieter periods, longer loans may be possible.
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Applying
Applications are submitted via our online form. Please apply at least one month before you need to deploy the cameras, so we have time to review and prepare equipment. We aim to review applications within two weeks and will be in touch by email.
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Feedback
We'd love to know how you get on. We provide a link to our Findings & Feedback Questionnaire — worth reviewing before you use the cameras. Completing it afterwards helps us improve the scheme and build case studies showing its impact.
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Returning kit
To return the cameras we provide an online Return Form as a checklist for their condition. Once submitted, we'll be in touch to arrange postage. Timely return keeps the kit ready for the next project.
WHAT WE ASK
Loan agreement
On a successful application we'll send a loan agreement covering the terms and conditions of borrowing the equipment. Once we receive your signed agreement, the cameras are prepared for dispatch — either immediately or closer to your loan start date.
Findings & feedback
As part of our no-cost camera loan, we kindly ask participants to complete our brief Findings and Feedback Questionnaire. Your insights help us evaluate how the cameras are used, what they contribute to wildlife monitoring and ecotherapy, and where the scheme can improve.
Share your highlights
We encourage you to share 5–10 highlights from your footage and a few photos of the cameras in action. Your contributions help us craft case studies that showcase the discoveries and experiences the project makes possible.
Our loan scheme is currently paused as all cameras are allocated - but make sure to check back here for the application form soon.
In the meantime, take a look at our first year impact report.
