lichens
Banish the winter blues
I was at Anglers Country Park near Wakefield this week, delivering training to Countryside Rangers about the OPAL Air Survey , hoping to persuade them how wonderful lichens were. One of the Rangers, Sue, clearly didn't need much persuasion, she sent me a wonderful email after the session, saying "I've always liked lichens but don't know enough about them". Even better she sent me these fantastic photographs, which really cheered me up and helped banish those "it's cold, grey, sleeting, and still 1 week to go til Christmas" blues. So I thought I'd share them with you! Enjoy!
Photos taken by Sue Worrall - thanks 
If someone could identify them for me that would be great!
Win a reward for your lichen project
Do you enjoy getting outdoors to do fieldwork? Are you interested in lichens? By investigating lichens with your school you could win up to £250 from the British Lichen Society (BLS).
The Tom Chester Award is given every year by the BLS to schools or students from Year 1 to Year 13 (ages 5-19) for successful fieldwork involving lichens.
The award includes a cash sum of up to £250. Last year's winners, Ponsbourne St Mary’s Primary School, chose to spend the money on a digital camera to help record their findings.
Would you like to be considered for the 2010 award?
If you think your school could be next year's winner, then you’ll need to put together a brief project proposal. This should be no more than 250 words long and outline the purpose, location and duration of the project, the observations you will make, how findings will be recorded and how you plan to spend the award.
Projects could involve looking at lichen distribution in your area or investigating which lichens grow on specific surfaces. Perhaps you have your own question you’d like to answer. For more ideas and information on different projects see the Projects for Schools page on the BLS website.
The British Lichen Society can also help with your project by putting you in touch with a local lichenologist or by providing email support.
Project proposals should be emailed to Barbara Hilton on bphilton [at] eclipse [dot] co [dot] uk. The successful applicant will be notified by 15 April 2010.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY NOW PASSED
The British Lichen Society works closely with OPAL and was a key partner in developing the OPAL air survey.
East of England
Explore our orchards and the wonderful things
that live there
We want people to observe and learn to identify some of the less common plant and animal species that live in the region’s fruit orchards.
Extraordinary species
Discover the mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi that grow on and around different varieties of fruit trees. We hope to help everyone develop an appreciation of the beauty of these less commonly studied organisms.
Get involved - Orchard investigations
Join us as we explore the wildlife within local fruit-growing sites. Afterwards you can use microscopes and digital photography to help identify and record what you have found. To find out more or to register your interest please contact opaleastofengland@herts.ac.uk.
Field guides
We will also produce simple guides to the wildlife and plants that can be spotted in orchards to inform your own explorations and bring these habitats alive.
Orchards in the East of England
See photos from previous OPAL events.The East of England is famous for its orchards and long history of growing fruit. Some historic orchards, particularly apple, have trees well over 100 years old. The continued use and varied management of orchards make them very interesting habitats.
The fruit growing industry is now much reduced in the region, however, community orchards are being planted, and traditional orchards are being managed for conservation as well as for fruit production. Natural England is currently developing a Habitat Action Plan for Traditional Orchards within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
Contact us
opaleastofengland@herts.ac.uk.
Upcoming events
| 22 | Biodiversity survey for primary schools Leyton Marsh, Lea Bridge Road, E10 7QL09:00 - 15:00 |
| 23 | Biodiversity survey for primary schools Leyton Marsh, Lea Bridge Road, E10 7QL09:00 - 15:00 |
| 6 | Restoring and Managing Old Orchards Workshop St Elizabeth’s Centre, Much Hadham, SG10 6EW10:00 - 16:00 |
OPAL East of England is led by the University of Hertfordshire
East of England partners: British Bryological Society, British Lichen Society, British Mycological Society, Bergh Apton Conservation Trust, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Lee Valley Regional Park