We are planning a series of Plant Atlas launches, online and across Britain and Ireland, throughout March to celebrate the publication of this seminal work to which so many BSBI members have contributed. Below you will find brief details of each of the eight launches.
The launches are aimed primarily at policy-makers and media, and offer a chance to tell them about the Atlas and acknowledge the hard work of the thousands of our recorders who made it possible.
We will be recording the talks at all the launches and will share the videos on our YouTube channel afterwards, so all our members can enjoy them, but we are keen for journalists and policy-makers to attend on the day and avail themselves of the opportunity to question the authors about this important resource for nature conservation.
Online launch 8th March
Our online launch will be held via Zoom from 3pm to 4pm on Wednesday 8th March; registration links have already been sent to selected policy-makers, journalists, funders and key contributors.
The programme includes short presentations from Kevin Walker (BSBI Head of Science and Plant Atlas 2020 co-author); Julia Hanmer (BSBI Chief Executive), who will outline what the Atlas means for plants, policy and people; and both Lynne Farrell (BSBI President 2019-2022) and Micheline Sheehy Skeffington (current BSBI President). There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
BSBI members who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/811118
England launch: Cambridge
The Plant Atlas: Cambridge launch will be held at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, running from 11.30am to 5.10pm on Saturday 18th March.
Speakers will include Dr Kevin Walker (BSBI Head of Science and Plant Atlas 2020 co-author); Dr Chris Preston (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and a co-author of our second plant distribution atlas in 2002; and Mags Cousins (Natural England).
BSBI members who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/846068
England launch: Newcastle
The Plant Atlas: Newcastle launch will be held at the Great North Museum, Newcastle, running from 2pm to 4.30pm on Saturday 18th March.
Speakers include Dr Kevin Walker (BSBI Head of Science and Plant Atlas 2020 co-author); a speaker from Natural England; Chris Metherell (BSBI President 2017-2019 and BSBI joint County Recorder for North Northumberland).
BSBI members who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/854941
England launch: online
The Plant Atlas: England online launch will be held via Zoom, running from 1pm to 5.10pm on Saturday 18th March.
Speakers will follow the Cambridge launch programme to include Dr Kevin Walker (BSBI Head of Science and Plant Atlas 2020 co-author); Dr Chris Preston (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and a co-author of our second plant distribution atlas in 2002; and Mags Cousins (Natural England).
BSBI members who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/854940
Northern Ireland launch
The Plant Atlas: Northern Ireland launch will be held at the National Museum Northern Ireland, Cultra Manor, Holywood. It will run from 11am to 12 noon on Wednesday, 15th March.
Speakers include BSBI President Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington and one of the Plant Atlas 2020 co-authors.
Republic of Ireland launch
The Plant Atlas: Ireland launch will be held at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, running from 2pm to 3.30pm on Thursday 9th March.
Speakers include BSBI President Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington and one of the Plant Atlas 2020 co-authors.
Scotland launch
The Plant Atlas: Scotland launch will be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh (RBGE), running from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 9th March.
We are delighted to announce that Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, will be speaking at the launch! Other speakers include Prof Pete Hollingsworth (RBGE Director of Science and a BSBI trustee); Dr Kevin Walker (BSBI Head of Science and Plant Atlas 2020 co-author); and Matt Harding (BSBI Scotland Officer).
BSBI members who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/811127
Wales launch
The Plant Atlas: Wales launch will be held at the National Botanic Gardens, Wales, running from 10.30am to 12 noon on Friday, 10th March.
The programme will include short presentations from one of the Plant Atlas 2020 co-authors and from Wales-based botanist Dr Trevor Dines who co-authored our second plant distribution atlas in 2002.
BSBI members in Wales who wish to attend the launch are asked to register using this link: https://buytickets.at/botanicalsocietyofbritainireland/846174