As I look back on what I have done in my internship to date one key moment stands out to me: walking through Edinburgh towards one specific building. Which building? The Scottish Parliament Building to talk to Members of Scottish Parliament about a nature-related Bill I had coordinated Plantlife’s response for. It was my first time in Edinburgh, my first time in parliament and my first time talking to a member of parliament. I went through the airport-style security equal parts nervous and excited. I sat down with my colleagues in the parliament café with my hand-written notes in front of me ready to plan and was struck with the realisation that I was about to do some real advocacy. This is what I had wanted to do for so long. I just remember thinking ‘how did I end up here?

A lot of conservation jobs are focused on the ecological and practical aspects of this sector. Whilst I am no stranger to getting knee deep in the hands-on side of things, I knew that I wanted to try out taking my career down a different avenue. As many people will know who are in the conservation sector, that is a lot easier said than done.

I knew that I wanted to get into the policy and advocacy space. In a previous role I had been exposed to what policy work could look like and although it was not part of my job then, it made me realise that I wanted to have a go. How could being directly involved in action for nature not sound appealing? However, for someone just beginning their career, it seemed like quite an elusive and somewhat unreachable option.

Like (almost) every early-career starter in conservation, I used volunteering to boost my skills and experience. Neither of my prior two roles are directly related to policy or advocacy, despite me knowing this is something I wanted to try out. Instead, I looked for a part-time volunteer role to try and fill this curiosity gap of mine. It must have been fate or something similar because the first time I looked online for roles after this decision, I saw a volunteer role at Plantlife. I applied, was successful, and started volunteering with Plantlife as a Political Advocacy Volunteer. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Roughly six months into my volunteering, and towards the end of my time in Spain, the Policy and Advocacy Intern role was posted. I applied, interviewed twice, completed a task and was ultimately successful.

What Does a Policy and Advocacy Intern Actually Do?

What does policy and advocacy work look like for a conservation charity? Is it more than just talking to politicians and criticising government policies for harming nature? These are questions I asked myself as I tried to work out what my internship might entail over the Christmas before I started.

What I have come to learn is that the policy and advocacy space is quite multifaceted. Working as part of the Policy and Advocacy Team to support, plan and deliver on our work across Plantlife’s focus areas has led me to work in a variety of areas. My role is a fun mixture of everything from building relationships, event organisation, communications, research, project planning, campaign action and policy consultations and advocating to politicians. I have been lucky enough to attend a mass lobby in Westminster to talk to my MP about the importance of nature, specifically the need for a Grasslands Action Plan and legislation to ban peat sales. I also got to visit Scottish Parliament to talk to MSPs (Members of Scottish Parliament) about the Natural Environment Bill going through the Scottish Parliament at the moment.

If you’re interested in finding out more about a career at Plantlife, keep an eye on our Careers page for the latest opportunities.

Dripping with lichens, spongey mosses cushioning the frequent sound of rain and trees towering up from a forest floor covered in ferns – the temperate rainforest is a magnificent place.

Did you know the temperate rainforest is one of the rarest habitats on Earth? We’ve already lost nearly all of our rainforests. Now it’s up to all of us to secure their future, before they’re gone forever.

At Plantlife, we are leading the way in temperate rainforest research, restoration and celebration.

Read on to find out how we are protecting these incredible habitats, as well as the vast array of species that call them home.

1. We’re Working Together to Protect Our Rainforests for the Future

We’ve joined up in partnership with landowners, environmental charities and organisations to bring our skills and knowledge together and protect these incredible forests for the future.  

We work in partnership in all of our rainforest projects – but we’re proud to have major roles in alliances in Scotland and Wales.  

• Saving Rainforests in Wales 

We are part of the Alliance for Wales’ Rainforest. Here we work in collaboration to highlight how important the rainforests of Wales are, as well as helping work towards the forests being positively managed.  

Almost a year ago, in December 2024, our findings were a major contributor to the State of Wales’ Rainforest report, which was launched in the Senedd. This helped to raise awareness at the highest level.  

These findings are now helping to formulate the work that is currently being undertaken in Wales’ rainforests. 

• Saving Rainforests in Scotland 

We have been part of the Alliance for Scotlands’ Rainforest since it formed in 2017. Over the past 8 years, the Alliance has done great work, much of it led by Plantlife. 

By 2023, we had collectively created 7 rainforest projects, launched guidance on public engagement and community involvement and raised awareness of these incredible habitats. 

The Alliance has only grown in strength and numbers since it’s launch, and includes 25 partner organisations. There is now a total of 11 Focus Projects covering more than 300,000 hectares, which is about 15% of the entire rainforest zone. 

The goal moving forwards is ambitious – to restore all of Scotland’s rainforest, and double it’s size by 2045. 

• Saving Rainforests in England 

We’re working from the tip of Cornwall to the top of Cumbria raising awareness, providing rainforest management training, addressing threats and protecting our precious species. 

Funded by Natural England’s Species Recovery Capital Grant Scheme, we are working across Devon and Cornwall to protect temperate rainforests and help some of the very rare and threatened species that call them home.  

The work includes halo thinning, glade creation and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) control to create and improve habitat conditions and help different species.   

We are also working in partnership on the Rainforest Restoration Project, which  aims to increase the quality and resilience of temperate rainforests across the northwest and southwest of England. 

Through this project, our aim is to inspire people to love and care for the rainforest – through outreach, training events and sharing practical advice on woodland management. 

Find out more about the temperate rainforest here.  

3. We’re Finding Species Safe New Homes

Through a process called translocation, we have been involved in saving rare species, including those found in our temperate rainforests.  

Translocation is a process where a plant, or in this case a lichen, is taken, either from an inhospitable environment, a nursery where it has been propagated or a thriving population, and moved to a suitable location for them to thrive.  

Deep in the heart of the rainforest in the Lake District, we discovered 2 locally rare lichen species at risk, as they were growing on an Ash tree infected with Ash Dieback.  

Our experts translocated some of the lichen from the infected Ash tree to a nearby Hazel tree. Read the full story here.  

4. We’re Reducing Threats to the Rare Temperate Rainforest Environment

There are a number of threats to this rare habitat – and one, you might recognise.  

Rhododendron, Rhododendron ponticum, which is a popular woody plant for gardens, famed for its bright, large flowers, is an invasive non-native species, and its spread through our woodlands and temperate rainforests is causing untold damage.   

Rhododendron produces lots of flowers, and each one of them can produce up to 7,000 seeds! These seeds spread from gardens and into habitats such as the temperate rainforest. And it’s not the only way Rhododendron can spread – it also roots from its branches allowing it to take more space. This hardy evergreen outcompetes much of the native flora we would find in our ancient woodlands. It reduces light, crowds out other plants and trees and reduces biodiversity.  

Rhododendron now presents the single largest threat to our temperate rainforest ecosystems.  

Our rainforest team has been working hard at sites across the UK, along with other environmental charities and landowners, to remove Rhododendron, along with other invasive species, to give our forests space to thrive.  

Find out more about invasive species here.  

5. We’re Creating New Rainforest Habitat

In some areas, where it is appropriate, we have been working in partnership to create new rainforest habitat.  

To do this, we have planted new trees, extending the rainforest at certain sites.  

We’ve also created new wood pasture sites.  

In 2003 Aspen Bristle-moss, which was thought to be extinct in the UK, was rediscovered by a chance finding. Now, thanks to a team effort – moss experts, landowners and volunteers discovered 3 times the amount of Aspen Bristle-moss at one site. This brilliant find led to the known population of this rare moss doubling in Scotland in a single afternoon.

This amazing feat was thanks to a training session organised by our Resilience and Recovery, Helping Rare Species Adapt to a Changing World Project Manager, Sam Jones, where volunteers were taught how to ID this marvellous moss. 

The elusive epiphyte (a plant which grows on the surface of another plant) is particularly tricky to identify, with tiny features that distinguish it from the other mosses that can be found growing alongside it. 

This event, helping uncover hidden populations of Aspen Bristle-moss gives hope for it’s future.  

Read on below as Sam explains more about the day and this special species. 

Learning How to ID the Rare Aspen Bristle-moss

On 6 November last year, we had our first day looking at Aspen Bristle-moss in Deeside. A total of 12 of us — moss experts, local land managers, and keen volunteers — spent around 4 hours staring very closes through hand lenses at Aspen bark.

Our experts taught us exactly which tiny features to use to distinguish these mosses from all the others we might see on Aspen bark. We learned about the importance of wetting the mosses before trying to identify them.

Then we walked all over the site which is a very rare dense exclusively Aspen woodland covering around 5 hectares. About 20 of these trees were known to support Aspen Bristle Moss, nearly half of the total known UK population. On our sweep we increased the population on site to 49, nearly doubling the total known population in 1 afternoon alone.

How are we Protecting this Rare Moss?

It seemed a logical choice to focus on such an understudied local specialist species. While working to protect this moss, we are also hunting for and protecting other rare Aspen epiphytes, such as Blunt-leaved Bristle-moss Nyholmiella obtusifolia, Showy Bristle-moss Lewinskya speciosa, and Bark Sulphur Fire-dot Lichen Caloplaca flavorubescens.

We are early in our journey towards protecting these species. Alongside preserving and enhancing Aspen woodland, work led by the Cairngorms National Park and Trees for Life, we are focused on learning the status of these species, and what we can do to protect them.

The first step for Aspen Bristle-moss (and all these under-studied epiphytes) is to update our records.

In 2000 it was thought to be extinct in the UK but has since been rediscovered at 3 sites. It takes quite the specialism to record it, and so there is a good chance some populations remain undiscovered. So, our first objective is to re-survey the 3 known populations, and to get people out and looking for it across Aspen woods more widely.

What’s Next for Aspen Bristle-moss?

This year we’ll be surveying the other 2 populations, getting more people trained up to look for and appreciate these rare species, and developing a better idea for how it is doing. We’ll also be encouraging trained volunteers to check Aspen trees whenever they can, as it is very possible many sites remain undiscovered.

As our understanding of these species expands, we may start to look at what can be done to protect these tiny remnant populations. Obviously, we must continue to promote and protect Aspen woodlands. We also may look into transplanting mosses between trees or assisting their colonisation into new sites.

We will have to see what develops as we work to protect and promote these often-overlooked tiny green gems.

Spring sees gardens in bloom, bursting with colourful blossoms!

By the time we reach the later summer months, some of those wildflowers will have faded – but it’s the perfect time to start prepping for next year! 

In fact, the best time of year to sow wildflower seeds in the UK, is between August and October. So here we delve into the secrets of creating a bright, blooming, buzzing lawn, from when to sow, to how to prep the land. 

However, before we jump in, it’s always advisable to see what you already have growing in your lawn. You might be surprised to find that there are some wildflowers already there and it’s always exciting to see what comes up on its own. 

How to Choose What Wildflower Seeds to Use?

We always advise that people buy seeds from a supplier that provides native seeds from the country you plan on sowing them. 

It’s not just the country that’s important though, local areas all have their own unique flora. So where possible, it’s always best to buy seed that is sourced locally as this will ensure that your flowers will grow happily in your area and be suitable for local wildlife.  

It’s always a good idea to think about your specific space too, including the soil type, PH, whether your site is dry or damp, shady or sunny. For species to flourish it depends on whether they are suited to these conditions. 

Why not read our full seed guide to find out more. Or visit our shop here to look through the seeds we have available.

Can You Just Scatter Wildflower Seeds on Grass?

There was a growing trend of ‘seed bombing’ which saw small balls of seeds and compost dropped onto bare ground to create mini areas of blooms. 

While this can certainly work, and is how some wildflowers successfully seed themselves, there are better ways. 

Read on below to find our top tips of how to prepare the ground to see the best success

How to Prepare the Ground to Sow Wildflower Seeds

The older and ‘wilder’ your lawn the better! If your lawn is like a bowling green, with fertile soil and no ‘weeds’, then you might first want to lower the nutrients in the soil. You can do this by regularly mowing your lawn and removing the cuttings for the first year or so. It could take a year or 2 to get your soil to the right nutrient level. 

When you’re ready you can add wildflower seeds to your lawn to increase biodiversity. The best way to do this is to cut your lawn very short in the autumn and scarify it by going over it with a rake to create patches of bare soil to scatter your seeds on. Keep going until around 50% of the area is bare ground. 

How to Sow Wildflower Seeds

When it comes to actually sowing the seeds – less is more. You actually only need 1 or 2 teaspoons of seed per square metre. 

Spread the seed across the ground evenly and pick a nice still day so the seeds don’t blow away before they land. The seeds can be mixed with sand for easier spreading. After this, gently trample the seeds in. It’s a good idea to water the ground lightly if the weather is drier, but be careful not to wash away the seeds. 

How to Sow Wildflower Seed Plugs

There is another option to get wildflowers into your lawn, which some people do see better results with, which is to sow seeds into pots and then plant them outdoors. 

To do this, sow the wildflower seeds in the autumn and leave the pots outside, to allow them to be exposed to the cold. Many wildflowers need a cold spell before they can germinate. 

Once the plants have germinated and started to grow you can move the little seedlings into individual pots. The best time to do this is when the plants have 3 or 4 leaves on them. You can encourage the growth of healthy roots by cutting off any flower stems. 

The following autumn, the plants can then be moved into your lawn. Once the plants are established, it’s worth keeping an eye on them for the first year or 2, to make sure they take properly and are not shaded out. You can do this by gently cutting the surrounding vegetation back to give them more space. 

Peat bogs are wild, exposed places – used to withstanding harsh weather and winter storms.  

Our Munsary Peatland Nature Reserve, which is part of the larger Flow Country in Scotland, is no stranger to extreme weather. However, the storms of the past year were even stronger than we’ve seen before. 

Working in these conditions can be testing – we’ve seen extreme flooding, walls knocked down and waterways collapsed. 

It’s not all bad news from the reserve however, as we are making exciting steps forwards to restoring the bog and protecting it for the future, despite a changing and challenging climate. 

The Impact of Climate Change on Bogs

Munsary was hit by a lot of storms last winter, which came just as the peatland was recovering from last year’s floods. On a recent visit, our Head of Plantlife Scotland, Alistair Whyte saw the damage this has caused. 

In some areas, access tracks in the peatland had been almost completely washed away. 

The relentless snow drifts and winds, didn’t just cause damage to the landscape, they knocked down fences and walls, opening up the area to unmanaged grazing. This influx of livestock freely accessing the reserve could trample sensitive peatland, leading to even more damage and undoing years of careful restoration work. 

In another blow to the fragile ecosystem, a culvert on the reserve collapsed under pressure from raging torrents. 

Hope for Peatland Restoration in Scotland

The University of Highlands and Islands has been leading new climate modelling work through our on-site science programme. 

The university has been modelling climate scenarios of various degrees of intensity over the next 100 years. The research shows that, if we complete the work, Munsary Peatland could remain highly resilient, even under extreme climate conditions.

The reserve could continue to retain its ability to function as a bog and store huge amounts of carbon, even in some extreme climate scenarios 

Bogs like this are vital to buffer the impacts of climate change while supporting biodiversity. 

This is a hopeful reminder that nature can bounce back. Conservation work can make a huge difference to not only restore habitats, but aid their resilience and protect them for the future. 

If you’ve been taking part in the No Mow Movement, you might have spotted some wonderful wildflowers poking through your lawn. 

Most lawns will have wildflowers seeded naturally in the soil – just waiting for a chance to bloom. It can be a fascinating part of the No Mow challenge, to see what comes through. 

Here we share our top ten flowers to find! If you don’t have them all in your lawn, why not head out to your local green space for a nature-based treasure hunt! 

2. Creeping Buttercup

A common, bright yellow flower that can be found in gardens, parks and meadows – the Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens is a common sight from April through to August. 

If you’ve spotted one of these sunny little wildflowers before, you might have played the common test with your friends. For generations, children have grown up using buttercups, to hold under their chins to tell if they like butter. If the flower reflects a yellow hue under your chin, you like butter! The origin of this game is believed to come from a belief that buttercups gave butter it’s golden colour. 

4. Ribwort Plantain

Ribwort Plantain, Plantago lanceolata is a common sight and can be found year-round in grasslands including lawns, meadows and arable fields. 

Sometimes thought of as a weed, it’s seed heads help to provide food for birds throughout much of the winter when other food sources are more scarce. The rest of the plant is also beneficial to lots of other wildlife. Ribwort Plantain provides both food and habitat for insects and pollinators including various species of moths and butterflies. 

6. Spotted Medick

A tiny little yellow wildflower, Spotted Medick Medicago arabica is a common find in the south of the UK. It can be found from May until September in grasslands including lawns and roadsides.  

This wildflower has very interesting seed pods (which can be seen properly in our video above), which are covered in little hooked hairs. These help the seed pods cling on to passing animals and encourage better distribution of the plant. 

A fun little find, look out for other medicks and trefoils in your lawn including Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, which is also known as ‘eggs and bacon’ because of the yellow and orange hue of the pea-like flowers. 

8. Meadow Buttercup

The Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris is a common sight in grasslands including fields, meadows and gardens and can be spotted from April right through until October. 

Another one from the buttercup family, the Meadow Buttercup is a taller variety than the Creeping Buttercup above, growing up to 1m in height. 

Watch our video to find out more about them both the two and see if you can tell them apart. 

10. Cat’s-Ear

Cat’s-Ear Hypochaeris radicata, is a common sight in lawns, fields, parks and roadsides from June until September. 

The bright yellow flowers can look very similar to the Dandelion above, but there are some key differences. One difference is that the Cat’s-Ear, has hairy leaves while Dandelions do not. Also, Cat’s-Ear, can have multiple flowerheads and branching stems, while Dandelions instead have one flowerhead per stem.  

Watch the video above to learn more about the Cat’s-Ear, and how you can tell it apart from the Dandelion.  

Did you manage to find them all? 

We would love to see what flowers you have been finding right through the No Mow Movement, so be sure to tag us on social media to show us the pretty blooms you’ve found. 

Although the days are getting longer, we are still in the depths of winter.

Some might assume that with bare branches and muddy footpaths, there’s not much to see in nature during winter, but nothing could be further from the truth. Even in its more restful state, nature is full of surprises, and there’s so much to discover!

While the season can seem uninviting, it’s well worth venturing out if you can. Frost dusts hardy winter plants in sparkling ice, and delicate wildflowers brave the freezing temperatures to bloom under the winter sun.

Though we typically associate wildflowers with spring and summer, some species thrive in the colder months.

Here’s our list of our favourite native and naturalised winter wildflowers to watch for on your winter adventures.

Mistletoe

Winter Aconite

Snowdrops

Primrose

Lesser Celandine

Stinking Hellebore

Daisy

Winter Heliotrope