Researchers at the University of York conducted participatory GIS research and Rapid Appraisal GIS on historical and current information regarding the ecology of 2 post-mining sites: Upton and Fitzwilliam (south-east of Wakefield). The study involved participatory GIS workshops with local residents and interested publics that took place in community buildings near each site in early 2011; and Rapid Appraisal GIS for one day at each site in Spring 2011. Also, part of the research were plant surveys carried out by researchers in 2010, and volunteer invertebrate data collection and surveys in the summers of 2010 and 2011. Results showed that both planned and informal unrecorded activities by local communities can support ecological diversity and successful ecological management.