Introduction to Lichens (2-day Foundation Course)

Lichens are not plants, but a symbiosis between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner (usually an alga). They are often overlooked due to their small size, but with some basic tips and practise you will find lichens are a diverse and fascinating group of organisms to study. The south west is internationally important for its lichens but they are under threat. To help conserve them Plantlife is offering free training to help develop lichen identification and recording skills.

On completing a 2-day course, participants will have an opportunity to register for an advanced course (as part of our New Generation Botanist programme) to develop more in-depth ID skills. Advanced courses are free but require commitment to attend 10 sessions on Exmoor over the course of a 12 month period, as well as taking part in own study and peer-supported study sessions.

Please note places on these courses are limited. Our aim is to increase the number of people in the region who contribute to biological recording. You do not need previous knowledge of lichens as you will learn about this on your course, however we will prioritise people who are interested in contributing to the region's lichen records beyond the course.

For an informal discussion about the courses, please contact Alison Smith: alison.smith@plantlife.org.uk or 07889 733232.

This training is being run by Plantlife in partnership with the British Lichen Society, as part of a 3.5 year project to conserve the south-west’s internationally important temperate rainforests and their rare and threatened lichen and bryophyte species. The project is funded by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund and is part of the Building Resilience in South West Woodlands project.