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Why are rare plants rare?

Why are rare plants rare? We target our conservation activity at the plants with the greatest need, which is generally the rare ones.

Rare, yellow Fen Orchid wildflowers stand against a green background of grasses

What do we mean by rare? Why do some plants get more conservation attention? And how do we work out why a plant is rare?

Join Plantlife’s Tim Pankhurst as he delves into the fascinating world of rare plants and how understanding why certain plants are rare can help us to save them.

Speakers

How I took the Most Biodiverse Garden to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Taking a garden to Chelsea Flower Show is no mean feat. It was a journey of blood, sweat and tears for Dan Bristow to bring the most biodiverse garden to the world-renowned show in 2024.

Landscape Designer and creative Gardener, Dan Bristow, sits in the centre of a dark garden, surrounded by rich green plants included beautiful leafy ferns

Dan worked with local plant nurseries, mushroom growers, quarrymen and crafts people for his design, in support of climate change charity Size of Wales. This story has sustainability at its core and Dan will be joined by Vickie Wood, Plantlife’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

Introduction to Ferns in Temperate Rainforests

This online workshop will teach you the basic biology of ferns, to help you identify some of the key species found in temperate rainforest.

A Limestone Fern

Ferns can act as indicators of temperate rainforest or oceanic woodland habitat. Some of the species seen in the UK’s temperate rainforests are found nowhere else on earth.

This online training workshop will cover the following topics:

  • Species morphology and reproductive processes
  • Ecological value and habitat requirements
  • Temperate rainforest species
  • Introduction to species identification
  • The use of data and biological records

The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency

Introduction to Bryophytes in Temperate Rainforests

This workshop will teach you the basic biology of bryophytes, to help you identify some of the key species found in temperate rainforest.

Small patch of jagged, white Reindeer Moss amongst bright green plants

Bryophytes can be indicators of temperate rainforest or oceanic woodland habitat. Some of the species seen in the UK’s temperate rainforests are found nowhere else on earth.

This online training workshop will cover the following topics:

  • Species morphology and reproductive processes
  • Ecological value and habitat requirements
  • Temperate rainforest species
  • Introduction to species identification
  • The use of data and biological records

The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Introduction to Lichens in Temperate Rainforests

This online workshop will teach you the basic biology of lichens and how to identify some key species found in temperate rainforest habitat.

branches and tree covered with lichens

Lichens can act as indicators of temperate rainforest or oceanic woodland habitat. Some of the species seen in the UK’s temperate rainforests are found nowhere else on earth.

This online workshop will teach you the basic biology of lichens, and give you the skills and confidence to identify some of the key species in the Lake District rainforest zone.

This two hour workshop will cover the following topics:

  • Species morphology and reproductive processes
  • Ecological value and habitat requirements
  • Temperate rainforest species
  • Introduction to species identification
  • The use of data and biological records

The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency

Rapid Rainforest Assessment Training

Join us for an interactive training workshop to how to assess the condition of temperate rainforest habitat!

The Rapid Rainforest Assessment (RRA) has been used to assess the condition of hundreds of temperate rainforests across the UK. The new RRA streamlined app gets us thinking on the move and provides an instant summary of management recommendations.

This online workshop covers the following topics:

  • What is a temperate rainforest
  • What habitat characteristics define a temperate rainforest?
  • Where can we find temperate rainforest within the landscape?
  • What are the current threats to temperate rainforest in Cumbria?
  • Guidance in using the Rapid Rainforest Assessment and support using the RRA App for data collection

The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Free

Rapid Rainforest Assessment Training

Join us for an interactive training workshop to how to assess the condition of temperate rainforest habitat!

The Rapid Rainforest Assessment (RRA) has been used to assess the condition of hundreds of temperate rainforests across the UK. The new RRA streamlined app gets us thinking on the move and provides an instant summary of management recommendations.

This online workshop covers the following topics:

  • What is a temperate rainforest
  • What habitat characteristics define a temperate rainforest?
  • Where can we find temperate rainforest within the landscape?
  • What are the current threats to temperate rainforest in Cumbria?
  • Guidance in using the Rapid Rainforest Assessment and support using the RRA App for data collection

The #Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project is being led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with Plantlife and other organisations. This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Members only

How are Goats and Art Helping Vulnerable Bryophytes?

How can we improve the plight of our most vulnerable species?

Two goats peer around the side of a rock face, there are fields and trees in the background

Join Welsh Marches Project Officer, Ellie Baggett and the boredomresearch collaboration to hear about connecting people to the elusive bryophytes of Welsh species recovery programme, Natur am Byth!

Hear about the conservation grazing goats – Dodger, Humphrey and Goatie – and the magical world of moss, exploring themes of strength and fragility, and drawing parallels to human resilience and vulnerability.

Speakers

Members only

An Urban Park in the Sky: Where History and Nature Meet

Join National Trust’s Teddy Jones for a digital tour of Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester’s urban park in the sky. Learn about Manchester’s rich industrial past and the city’s long relationship with plants.

Photograph shows an array of flowers and other plants growing on a 330-metre stretch of steel overpass, along which goods were transported during the height of industrial Manchester. The Manchester skyline can just be seen behind the viaduct.
The elevated urban park  at Castlefield Viaduct flourishes on a 330-metre stretch of steel overpass, along which goods were transported during the height of industrial Manchester.
The viaduct closed in the 60s at which point nature started to reclaim the space.
The National Trust now welcomes visitors celebrate this unique sky park, where nature thrives amidst industrial heritage.

Speakers

Open to all

Online Talk: Wonder on our Doorstep

This free, open to all, online talk will delve into how to support children to find curiosity and connection in nature.

A beautiful purple flower in front of a group of people walking through the sand dunes

As parents, carers and grandparents we want to help our children and young people to foster a deep connection with the natural world, but we don’t always feel confident doing so. That’s where this workshop can help – it’s a journey back to basics, offering practical insights and playful strategies for stress-free nature exploration.

After taking part you will…

  • Be inspired by simple but meaningful ways to spend time together with nature that can be adapted for different ages and abilities;
  • Feel ready to support child-led sensory and creative nature play;
  • Take away practical strategies for overcoming common barriers such as lack of time or confidence, or worries about dirt or risk.
  • Feel excited about bringing the many benefits of nature connection into your family’s life.

You won’t find complex instagrammable crafts or activities needing loads of prep – just powerful ways to ‘rewild the child’ while making sure the grown ups have fun too!

Speakers