2022 County Report for Bedfordshire

John Wakely

2022 was an interesting but not sensational year for botany in Beds. We have a Flora group of some 60 members with about a quarter of these being regular recorders. Living some 20 miles outside the county my botanising in VC30 is somewhat limited.

The majority of records are now received online via iRecord, iNaturalist and Adnoto (through the Beds Natural History Society).

Our field trips were again disrupted by Covid, but we did manage a total of 6, including a session on aquatic plant id which was particularly well attended. Floral surveys were undertaken by the group on behalf of English Heritage and a local golf club.

After several years of debate, a Flora Guardian Scheme in which individuals take responsibility for recording and monitoring populations of rare plants, similar to those in operation in nearby counties, has got off the ground and been well supported. To date 22 species at 41 sites are being monitored by 12 guardians with more help promised. An active committee has obtained funding with a view to ensuring the future of the project. Other specialist natural history groups are looking to come on board.