The British Lichen Society has a full calendar of activities, meetings and taught courses that are open to members and non-members.
BLS (and other) FIELD MEETINGS AND WORKSHOP PROGRAMME 2012
DOWNLOAD: For full BLS Meeting details please follow this link to download full details as a .pdf document.
NB: All members of whatever level of experience are welcomed on all BLS Field Meetings. No member should feel inhibited from attending by the fact that some meetings are associated with BLS Council meetings or the AGM. Workshops, on the other hand, may be aimed at members who have some level of experience. If so, this fact will be specified in the meeting notice.
SOUTH WALES (day meeting)
Sunday 5 February 2012
This is a field visit associated with the BLS AGM in Cardiff.
Coity Castle & St Mary's Church, Coity
Heol Yr Eglwys, Coity, Bridgend CF35 6BH
Grid ref: SS 923815 (OS Landranger map 170).
Meet in Cardiff on road outside museum car park (rear of museum in Museum Avenue) at 09.30 to organise shared transport, or if travelling directly to Coity meet at castle entrance at 10.30am.
Note: please advise Steve Price or Alan Orange if you plan to meet the group at Coity.
Download full details of this meeting here as a .pdf document.
BRISTOL UNIVERSITY WORKSHOP - Splits and Look-alikes
Friday 17th - Sunday 19th February 2012
Tutors: Dr Brian Coppins and Dr David Hill
Course fee: £50.00
Splits and look-alikes lead to the under-recording of the less common species and the over-recording of the better known names. This course will give lichenologists greater precision and confidence in fieldwork, identification and recording.
BLS SPRING WORKSHOP 2012 - The genus Caloplaca
Sunday 22 - Friday 27 April 2012
Location: Kingcombe, Dorset
Workshop leader : Bryan Edwards
The objective of this workshop is to give participants the knowledge and confidence to identify species in this potentially confusing genus. The number of participants will be limited to 25.
BLS SUMMER MEETING 2012 - The Isle of Muck
Saturday 23 - Saturday 30 June 2012
Meeting base: Port Mor Hotel, the island bunkhouse and island community hall
An opportunity to participate in a thorough survey of the lichens of a moderately small, family owned, island off the west coast of Scotland.
BLS AUTUMN 2012 FIELD MEETING, Bedfordshire
Thursday 4th - Monday 8th October 2012
Local organiser: Mark Powell
Meeting base: The Park Inn, Bedford
The theme of the weekend will be to raise awareness of the surprising diversity of lichens to be found in this southern part of the East Midlands.
BLS SPRING 2013 MEETING, Kinlochewe, Wester Ross - Advanced notice
Saturday 27 April - Saturday 4 May 2013
Local organiser - Oliver Moore
FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL LICHEN COURSES 2012
The Field study Council runs a number of different types of courses for those interested in lichens - day courses and longer courses (listed below). For details and booking see http://www.field-studies-council.org/
Course Title |
Centre |
Tutor |
Dates |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Malham Tarn |
Allan Pentecost |
Saturday 25 February |
Identifying Lichens |
Flatford Mill |
John Skinner |
Friday 09 March - Sunday 11 March |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Orielton Pat |
Wolseley |
Saturday 17 March |
Lichen Identification |
Kindrogan |
Rebecca Yahr |
Friday 30 March - Friday 06 April |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Epping Forest |
John Skinner |
Saturday 31 March |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Malham Tarn |
Allan Pentecost |
Saturday 31 March |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Orielton |
Robin Crump |
Saturday 31 March |
Lichens in their Habitats |
Orielton |
Pat Wolseley and Ray Woods |
Wednesday 11 April - Sunday 15 April |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Juniper Hall |
David Hawksworth |
Saturday 21 April |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Nettlecombe Court |
Pat Wolseley |
Saturday 21 April |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Juniper Hall |
David Hawksworth |
Saturday 12 May |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Flatford Mill |
John Skinner |
Tuesday 15 May |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Nettlecombe Court |
Pat Wolseley |
Saturday 19 May |
Introducing Lichens 1 |
Preston Montford |
Mark Powell |
Saturday 26 May |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Preston Montford |
Mark Powell |
Saturday 23 June |
Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi |
Slapton Ley |
David Hawksworth |
Friday 17 August - Monday 20 August |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Slapton Ley |
David Hawksworth |
Tuesday 21 August |
Lichens in the Dales: An Introductory Course |
Malham Tarn |
Allan Pentecost |
Friday 24 August - Monday 27 August |
Identifying Lichens at Intermediate Level |
Flatford Mill |
John Skinner |
Friday 07 September - Sunday 09 September |
Introducing Lichens 2 |
Flatford Mill |
John Skinner |
Thursday 20 September |
KINGCOMBE CENTRE, DORSET: COURSES
The Kingcombe Centre runs lichen courses from time to time. Please refer to the Kingcombe Centre website for details of courses.
LICHENOLOGY SEMINARS at Eagle Hill...on the coast of Maine, USA
NHS Calendar:... Between Acadia National Park and Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
Lichens and Lichen Ecology, May 27 - Jun 2: David H.S. Richardson and Mark R.D. Seaward
Crustose Lichens: Identification and Ecology, Jun 3 - 9: Stephen R. Clayden
Sterile Crustose Lichens: An Introduction with a Special Emphasis on Identification, Jun 10 - 16: James Lendemer
Lichen Chemistry: Spot Tests and TLC in Lichen Identification, Jun 17 - 23: Scott S. LaGreca and Thorsten T. Lumbsch
Lichen Research Tutorials, Jun 24 - 30: Richard Harris
Lichens, Biofilms, and Gravestones, Jul 8 - 14: Judy Jacob and Michaela Schmull
Information on lodging options, meals, and costs may be found here
There is an online application form at this link
Descriptions and syllabi will be available in January. Please let us know if we can help with questions. Prior discussions of personal study objectives with instructors are welcome.
Humboldt Institute, PO Box 9, Steuben, ME 04680-0009
207-546-2821, Fax 207-546-3042
E-mail office@eaglehill.us
In support of field biologists, researchers, field naturalists, faculty members, and students with interests in the natural history sciences, Eagle Hill offers specialty seminars at different ecological scales for those who are interested in understanding complex natural history questions. Seminars range from watershed level subjects, and subjects in classical ecology, to highly specialized seminars in advanced biology, taxonomy, and ecological restoration.
In support of scientific illustrators and artists, Eagle Hill offers a diverse range of workshops focusing on natural history art.
Eagle Hill has long been recognized as offering hard-to-find seminars and workshops which provide important opportunities for training and meeting others who are likewise dedicated to continually learning more about natural history.
Eagle Hill field seminars and workshops are of special interest because they focus on the natural history of one of North America's most spectacular and pristine natural areas, the coast of eastern Maine from Acadia National Park to Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge and beyond. Most seminars combine field studies with follow-up lab studies and a review of the literature. Additional information is provided in lectures, slide presentations, and discussions. Seminars are primarily taught for people who already have a reasonable background in a seminar program or in related subjects, or who are keenly interested in learning about a new subject.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Venues
The AGM and Winter Meeting for 2012 will be held at the National Museum of Wales on Saturday 4th February 2012. This is is situated in the Civic Centre of Cardiff at grid ref. 31/184.769. It is easily reached by road, leaving the M4 at Junction 32.
The Lecture Theatre is accessed by Park Place, on the east side of the Museum.
Accommodation
A range of accommodation is available within 15 minutes walking distance of the Museum.
Timetable
Friday 3rd February:
18.00-21.00 – Buffet and Exhibition Meeting in Main Hall of the National Museum of Wales.
Saturday 4th February:
9.45 – Coffee / tea / available in Icons Suite of the National Museum of Wales.
10.30 – Annual General Meeting, Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre, National Museum of Wales.
12.45 – Lunch at own expense in the Museum restaurant or nearby venue
14.00 Introduction by the President
14.10 The Natural Environment Framework for Wales - Diana Reynolds, Welsh Government
14.40 Wales - a lost or found paradise for lichens? - Ray Woods, Plantlife
15.45 How the conservation Agencies use lichens in air pollution assessments- Khalid Aazem – Countryside Council for Wales
16.15 The experiences of a Welsh Lichen Apprentice - Alastair Hotchkiss – Countryside Council for Wales.
17.00 Close
Exhibition
Exhibits can be put up in the Main Hall of the Museum from 17.30 on Friday and should be ready for viewing by 18.00 on Friday 3rd. They will be moved (by Museum staff) to the Icons Suite on Saturday where they can be viewed during tea breaks. Please advise Alan Orange by e-mail of your requirements for tables or display stands before Monday 30th January as these have to be ordered in advance.
Buffet
A fork buffet will be provided on Friday evening for the Exhibition. Please book in advance. Cost £16.20 for buffet; wine will be available.
Post-AGM meal
For those who would like to eat together after the AGM, a booking has been made at Bellini's Italian Restaurant, Park Place, Cardiff, a few minutes walk from the Museum, at 7.15-9.00 p.m., Saturday 4th February. Please look at the menu at www.bellinisitaliano.com, and let the local organiser know your choice of food so that we can pre-order; drinks can be ordered on arrival. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL – £5.00 deposit.
Field Visit
Sunday 5 February 2012:
Full details will be given during the AGM. Those wishing to attend the field trip without going to the AGM meetings (an option not to be encouraged!) should inform the Field Meetings Secretary, Steve Price, Woodlands, Combs Road, Combs, High Peak, Derbyshire SK23 9UP, and they will be sent details of the meeting place and time.
Local Organiser
Alan Orange, Department of Biodiversity and Systematic Biology, National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP.
Churchyard Group
If you are interested in participating in churchyard surveys contact Ivan Pedley for any of the Midland Counties Tel. 01162 876 886.
Sorby Natural History Society, Sheffield
Contact: Steve Price
Saturday 10 March 2012 - Lichen Meeting to the Moss Valley
(note the change of date from 25 February)
Leaders: Steve Price and Joan Egan
Meet at 10.30 am by the Bridge Inn at Ford (grid ref SK 402 803) where there is a public car park and toilets (unless closed down!). This is just on Landranger map 120. This bio-diverse area to the south-east of Sheffield is mixed woodland, grassland and arable and has very few lichen records, so everything we find will count.
At the time of writing the bus service 252 (Travel South Yorkshire) leaves Sheffield at 0942 and arrives at Ford at 1016. Please check timetables nearer the date of meeting.
As usual please bring warm clothes, waterproofs, lunch and a hand-lens.
Kent Field Club
E-mail Ishpi Blatchley at ishpi.blatchley@gmail.com
website: www.kentfieldclub.org.uk
Saturday 24 March 2012 - Churchyard lichens
Leader Ishpi Blatchley
Meet at Cowden church TQ466404 at 10.30 am and Markbeech church TQ474427 at 2 pm.
Sunday 14 Oct 2012 - Scotney Castle estate
Leaders Keith Palmer and Ishpi Blatchley
Lichens of the parkland. Meet in the National Trust car park TQ687354 (free at time of writing) at 10.30 am.
Sussex Lichen Recording Group
E-mail Jacqui Middleton at jacquiandbruce@tiscali.co.uk
Please note that there is also a Sussex Fungi Group - further details of their meetings can be found at www.sussexfungigroup.org.uk.
Wessex Local Group
E-mail Neil Sanderson at neilsand@dircon.co.uk
Norfolk Local Group
Contact Peter Lambley tel. 01603 872574 or e-mail plambley@aol.com
Northumbria Local Group
This group meets informally several times a year to visit interesting lichen sites, including churchyards, in Northumberland and County Durham. Formal field meetings are part of the programme of the Natural History Society of Northumbria (www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk), and evening classes and weekend courses are now being planned for next year.
Contact Janet Simkin at janetsimkin@btinternet.com for details.
If you would like to advertise any lichen meeting outside the UK - please contact Dr Howard Oakley, webmaster.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 7th IAL Symposium 2012, we are pleased to introduce you to the event of the 7th IAL Symposium in 2012. The International Association for Lichenology (IAL) together with Lichen Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University (R.U.) are organizing the 7th IAL Symposium 2012 which will be held during 9 – 13 January 2012 at Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.
2012 - The 7th IAL Symposium
9-13th January 2012, Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Following the previous success events in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Spain, Estonia and USA, The 7th IAL Symposium 2012 will be the first time that this will be held in Asia and is specially organized in the bustling metropolis, Bangkok, Thailand.
The IAL Symposium has been arranging a major international meeting covering all aspects of Lichenology and under the theme of “Lichens: from Genome to ecosystems in a changing world”. Approximate 500 participants from around the world are expected to get together in this event.
Link to the symposium website
If you would like to advertise any lichenology-related meetings within or outside the UK - please contact Dr Howard Oakley, webmaster.
Royal Microsopy Society Events 2012
EMC 2012 - European Microscopy Congress at Manchester Central on 16 – 21 September, 2012. The UK microscopy community looks forward to welcoming you to Manchester in September 2012. With an international conference of the highest quality sitting alongside Europe's largest exhibition dedicated to microscopy, it promises to be a truly memorable event. Added to this will be great training opportunities, a programme of technical workshops, and a full social programme. Further details can be found here.
2011 Meetings
ASHTEAD COMMON NNR
Sunday 16 January 2011 (one-day field meeting following the BLS AGM London)
Local organiser - Paul Cannon
Report in Summer 2011 Bulletin (no 108).
USING MICROSCOPES FOR IDENTIFYING LICHENS ON LIMESTONE, Bristol
Fri 18 – Sun 20 February 2011
local organisers - David Hill & Brian Coppins
ISLAY & JURA
Sat 30 April – Sat 7 May 2011
local organiser – Vince Giavarini
FRESH-WATER LICHENS - SUMMER 2011 WORKSHOP, Pembrokeshire
Sun 14 – Sun 21 August 2011
tutor Holger Thues; local organiser Pat Wolseley,
DERBYSHIRE
Thurs 6 – Mon 10 October 2011
local organiser – Steve Price
2010 Meetings
Bolded dates are official British Lichen Society meetings
BLS Meeting - NORFOLK
Sun 17 & Mon 18 January 2010
Local organiser - Peter Lambley.
BRISTOL - A BEGINNERS LICHEN IDENTIFICATION COURSE
Saturdays 10am - 1 pm, 6th and 13th February 2010
Tutor - David Hill
BRISTOL - LEARNING MORE ABOUT LICHENS: AN INTERMEDIATE COURSE
Saturday 10am - 4 pm, 20th February 2010
Tutor - David Hill
BRISTOL COURSE IN LICHENOLOGY - LICHENS ON LIMESTONE
Fri 26 to Sun 28 February 2010
Tutors: Dr BJ Coppins and Dr DJ Hill
FSC Course - FLATFORD MILL IDENTIFYING LICHENS
19-21 March 2010
Tutor: John Skinner
Kingcombe Centre - MOSSES AND LICHENS
27th March (Mosses) and 28th March (lichens) 2010
Tutor: Bryan Edwards
FSC Course - KINDROGAN LICHEN IDENTIFICATION
5-12 April 2010
Tutor: Rebecca Yahr
FSC Course - ORIELTON MARITIME LICHENS OF PEMBROKESHIRE
7-13 April 2010
Tutor: Pat Wolseley
BLS Meeting - ISLE OF MAN
Fri 23 to Mon 26 April 2010 (plus extension days)
Local organiser - Professor Mark Seaward
BLS Meeting - MORAY
Saturday 14 - Saturday 21 August 2010
Local organisers - Heather Paul & Clare Scanlon (assisted by Sandy Coppins)
FSC Course - SLAPTON LEY LICHENS AND LICHENICOLOUS FUNGI
20-22 Aug 2010
Tutor: David Hawksworth
FSC Course - FLATFORD MILL IDENTIFYING LICHENS: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL WORKSHOP
10-12 Sept 2010
Tutor: John Skinner
FSC Course - MALHAM TARN LICHENS IN THE DALES: AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE
1-3 Oct 2010
Tutor: Allan Pentecost
For further details please follow this link.
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY 2010 GARDEN SURVEY, RHS WISLEY
3 Oct 2010
Contact: Barbara Hilton
BLS Meeting - CARMARTHEN
Thurs 7 to Mon 11 October 2010 (to include BLS Council meeting)
Local organiser - Ray Woods
BRITISH LICHEN SOCIETY MEETING and ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 13-15 JANUARY, 2011
The AGM 2011 was held at the Natural History Museum, London. Full details of this weekend of meetings can be found using this link. Full details of the committee meetings schedule can be found here.
Venues
The 2011 Winter Meeting, comprising Committees, Council, the Swinscow Lecture, Annual General Meeting and lectures will be held at the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD over the period Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th January 2011.
The Swinscow Lecture, AGM and lectures will be held in the Flett Lecture Theatre. There will be space for exhibits in the foyer of the Flett Lecture Theatre.
The Winter Field Meeting will be held at Ashtead Common NNR, Ashtead, Surrey on Sunday 16th January 2011. See below for further details.
Accommodation
Accommodation close to the Natural History Museum is available nearby at Baden-Powell House, 65-67 Queensgate, SW7 5JS. See www.bph.conferences@scout.org.uk or 'phone 020 7590 6909.
There are also reasonably priced hotels nearby:
Abcone Hotel - 020 7460 3400
Montana Hotel - 020 7584 7654
Eden Plaza Hotel - 020 7370 6111
Acacia Hostel - 020 7823 7103
For those wanting cheaper accommodation there are several YHA's in the area offering special prices c. £15 a night over the winter period.
Timetable
Friday 14th January:
17.30 – Drinks & nibbles available in the foyer of the Flett Lecture Theatre.
18.00 – Swinscow Lecture – Flett Lecture Theatre.
19.30 – Society Dinner to be held at Baden-Powell House across the road (Queensway) from the NHM.
Saturday 15th January:
10.00 – Coffee / tea / shortbread available in the foyer of the Flett Lecture Theatre.
10.30 – Annual General Meeting.
12.45 – Lunch at own expense in the Staff Restaurant.
14.00 – Conducted tour of new lichenological facilities in the NHM – 3 groups led by Pat Wolseley, Holger Thüs and Cécile Gueidan.
15.00 – First of three lectures (see details below) reflecting on 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity.
15.30 – Coffee / tea.
16.00 – Second & third lectures
17.00 - Discussion
17.30 – Close.
