A great way to learn more plant ID and contribute valuable records!

The female part of a Geranium flower is magnified through a handlens

#FISC dates for 2026 are live!
If you are looking to take a #FieldIdentificationSkillsCertificate (FISC) this year, check out the 27 dates we've just announced, from Kent to Cardiff & from Devon to Stirling:
bsbi.org/learn/field-...
FISC test = industry standard for assessing botanical proficiency.

Cambridge offers botany course that inspired Darwin after rare archive uncovered University’s botanic garden will use study materials created by John Stevens Henslow, the naturalist’s mentor, 200 years ago

Great article by @donnalferguson.bsky.social in today's @theguardian.com about Darwin & Henslow's plant specimens & illustrations and the fab new @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social Certificate in Botany: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Links for this course & many others here:
bsbi.org/learn/traini...

Based in Northern Ireland?
Want to support @npms.bsky.social & help unlock plant survey sites across NI?
Then we have a fabulous volunteer opportunity for you!
Check it out:
bsbi.org/about/people...

Me & Amanda with her book “Wild Pavements”

Fun evening with lots of botanists and nature lovers celebrating the launch of @amandatuke.bsky.social’s new book, “Wild Pavements” at Stanfords bookshop. Looking forward to reading this!

What a great find!

Only 3 days left if you want to apply for a #BSBIPlantStudyGrant!
Go to bsbi.org/learn/grants... for an application form & to read reports by two of last year's recipients.
Helping students carry out projects collecting plant-related data is one of our very favourite things!
@bucbotany.bsky.social

We're hiring!
Could you become our new Wales Officer, lead our Priority Plants Project & support #BSBICountyRecorders across Wales?
Apply here: bsbi.org/about/people...
Deadline: 23 February
Interested but not for you?
Please help us spread the word!

'Wild Roses of Great Britain and Ireland', the latest title in our series of #BSBIHandbooks, was published in print in November.
We have now published the eBook version: bsbi.org/learn/public...
Check out this interview with the authors, Gareth Knass & the late Roger Maskew: bsbi.org/blog/2025/10...

It was inspiring to hear @yoselin.bsky.social talk about the Black in Plant Science network last night. I so agree about the importance of creating a sense of community and belonging, through networks and support, to grow self-confidence and bring the power of diversity to botany.

Black nightshade, Solanum nigrum

Thanks @sandyknapp.bsky.social for explaining solanum ID features to look out for at the City of London #NewYearPlantHunt today. @lnhs.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Introducing a budding botanist to Red Dead-nettle and Red Valerian on #NewYearPlantHunt. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @lnhs.bsky.social @fungiflowers.bsky.social

I joined a fab #NewYearPlantHunt today in central London, where we found 56 plants in flower. Many thanks to Mark Spencer @fungiflowers.bsky.social for wonderful explanations and to all the participants for plant finding skills and company! @lnhs.bsky.social & @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Wow, amazing photos!

Greater Dodder flower close-up

Greater Dodder on nettle stem

The highlight from today's New Year Plant Hunt in #Bath (organsied by @bsbibotany.bsky.social) was Greater Dodder, a parasite of nettles, growing by the river near Avon Street.
#nature #wildlife #wildflower #plants #wildlifephotography #Naturephotography

Thanks @bathnature.bsky.social, it was a fabulous day in great company!

Yes!

Winter blooming of hundreds of plants in UK ‘visible signal’ of climate breakdown New year plant hunt shows rising temperatures are shifting natural cycles of wildflowers such as daisies

We've been working with @metoffice.gov.uk to analyse 10 years of #NewYearPlantHunt data.
The analysis provides the clearest evidence yet of how rising temperatures are impacting the British & Irish flora, with knock-on effects for all our wildlife.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

40 species on today's #NewYearPlantHunt around the Ouseburn area of Newcastle. BBC Look North even stopped by for a while... 🎥 @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Plant hunting involves a lot of hanging over railings, examining walls and checking for signs of flowers! As well as checking our list on the @bsbibotany.bsky.social app! #NewYearPlantHunt #12DaysWild

what a fantastic day! I love how #NewYearPlantHunt combines chatting & getting to know other wildlife enthusiasts, learning more plant ID, a challenge in finding as many plants in flower as possible (65!) and a lovely stroll (around Bath, looking very beautiful today). Thanks Helena and BathNats!

Early excitement when we found Dodder towards to start of our #NewYearPlantHunt in Bath #12DaysWild

Excited to be about to start a #NewYearPlantHunt in Bath with BathNats

#NewYearPlantHunt off to a great start!

Crepis capillaris

Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawk's-beard) on Arnside Knott today. Looking likely to be a few in flower for the #NewYearPlantHunt.
2 days to go.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social

So, what do we do with the #NewYearPlantHunt data that 1000s of #BSBImembers & supporters have collected over the past decade?
1 example: we joined forces with @metoffice.gov.uk to investigate correlations between rising temperatures & your plant records.
Initial results:
bsbi.org/about/news/l...

Many thanks to everyone who shared pix of wild & naturalised plants to brighten up the #WinterSolstice!
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, then we have one more #WildFlowerHour before the #NewYearPlantHunt.
And then days keep on getting longer until it's Spring!
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social

Looking forward to this!

Botanists walk through a plant-filled landscape on Midsummer's Day, beneath a setting sun

What's the perfect #ChristmasGift for the plant-lover in your life?
If they're not already #BSBImembers, how about a year's membership of @bsbibotany.bsky.social?
Choose a printed membership pack, posted to your loved one, or a digital pack pinging into their Inbox on Christmas Day.
bsbi.org/gift

Can you help us with conserve plants through a donation towards digitising historic plant records?