Courses and other meetings 2012

This page includes details of courses run by the Field Studies Council as well as other meetings not organised by the BBS but of interest to bryologists.

The Field Studies Council website provides information about other bryophyte courses as well - www.field-studies-council.org

17-19 February: MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Rhyd‑y‑creuau, The Drapers’ Field Centre, Betws-y-coed, Conwy, LL24 0HB.   Especially for beginners, but others welcome, too.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr D. Moncrieff, Tel.: 01690-710494, Fax: (01690) 710458, email: enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org

1-5 April: MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS AS INDICATORS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Orielton Field Centre, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, SA71 5EZ.   A course of interest to anyone wishing to develop identification skills that will provide a sound basis for recognizing and interpreting evidence of climate change.   Offering individual guidance in identification and ecology at all levels.   Details from the Centre Director, Ms C. Millican, Tel.: 0845 3307372, Fax: (01646) 623921, email: enquiries.or@field-studies-council.org

13-15 April: SPHAGNUM WEEKEND.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Rhyd-y-creuau, The Drapers’ Field Centre, Betws-y-coed, Conwy, LL24 0HB.   A chance to learn how to recognize most of the British species in the field, and to study them alongside keys.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr D. Moncrieff, Tel.: 01690-710494, Fax: (01690) 710458, email: enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org

24-28 April: SPHAGNUM MOSS.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PG.   Three days to practise field identification of most species of this ecologically important genus.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr M. Jamieson, Tel.: 01250-870150, Fax: (01250) 881433, email: enquiries.kd@field-studies-council.org

28 April-5 May: MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Kindrogan Field Centre, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PG.   Offering individual guidance in identification and ecology at all levels.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr M. Jamieson, Tel.: 01250-870150, Fax: (01250) 881433, email: enquiries.kd@field-studies-council.org

8-12 May: ADVANCED BRYOLOGY LABORATORY COURSE.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1DX.   An opportunity for experienced enthusiasts to explore special techniques, critical species and new developments.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr A. Pickles, Tel.: 0845 3307378, Fax: (01743) 851066, email: enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org

23-27 July: IDENTIFYING MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Preston Montford Field Centre, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 1DX.   A course to cover a wide range of habitats and immerse bryophyte enthusiasts in an intense combination of field and laboratory techniques for identification.   Offering individual guidance at all levels.    Details from the Centre Director, Mr A. Pickles, Tel.: 0845 3307378, Fax: (01743) 851066, email: enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org 

5-10 August: BRYOPHYTES FOR NATIONAL VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Rhyd-y-creuau, The Drapers’ Field Centre, Betws-y-coed, Conwy, LL24 0HB.   A course for keen amateurs and professionals interested in bryophytes and their role in identifying types of plant communities.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr D. Moncrieff, Tel.: 01690-710494, Fax: (01690) 710458, email: enquiries.rc@field-studies-council.org 

*20-24 August: MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS OF WETLAND AND RIVER HABITATS.   Tutor: Dr Martha Newton, Malham Tarn Field Centre, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU.   Learn how to recognize moss and liverwort species of value in interpreting wetland and aquatic ecology.   The course is for amateurs as well as professionals at all levels.   Details from the Centre Director, Mr M. Cawthorn, Tel.: 01729-830331, Fax: (01729) 830658, email: enquiries.mt@field-studies-council.org

Mosses and Liverworts Identification Course

Tutor:  Jacqueline Wright  County Recorder of Bryophytes for Oxfordshire and Berkshire

Course dates:                     
Saturday and Sunday of 3rd W/E in November.  9-4.30
Saturday of 4th W/E in November.  9.30-3

Fee   £95 waged   £85 un-waged

Indoor venue   Near Oxford  
Field sessions   Reserves near Oxford

Places are strictly limited to 8.
This allows a high level of guidance from tutor.

For further details   click here for illustrated flier  or for an application form, please contact:

Jacqueline Wright  
Email:   jawright@shotover-wildlife.org.uk
Tel: 01865 874423
www.shotover-wildlife.org.uk

• The aim of the course is to develop both the skills and knowledge required to identify mosses and liverworts (bryophytes).
• Much emphasis is given to the consolidation of knowledge as it is gained during the course; through practical plant work indoors and the 2 field sessions.
• No previous experience of bryology will be assumed but a basic knowledge of botany and plant identification is expected.

Course content includes

• Skills in using microscopes and keys
• Identification of frequently encountered bryophytes
• A focus on knowing and practicing a manageable number of species
• Use of the BBS Field Guide to Mosses and Liverworts
• Visits to reserves to build field identification skills, consolidate knowledge and help in ‘reading’ a habitat
  
• Leaf preparation techniques for bryology
  
• Calibration of participant’s own microscopes is available as a free service during the course

European Committee for the conservation of bryophytes

This body is holding their 8th conference on April 18-21 2012 in Budapest, Hungary. "Bryophyte Conservation – Follow up on the 2010 Biodiversity Target"

More details can be found at http://eccb_bryo8.nhmus.hu/.