January 2012
Discover lichens on a training course
Want to know more about the diverse world of lichens? Learn directly from the experts at one of this year’s Introducing Lichens courses, run by the British Lichen Society (BLS) and Field Studies Council (FSC).
Courses are taking place across England, and each one includes a field excursion to get hands-on experience of identifying common lichens.
Introducing Lichens 1 is aimed at beginners, while Introducing Lichens 2 is for those who have some prior experience, or have already attended the first course.
Each course lasts a full day, from 10.00 to 16.30 and costs £35. You can book through your local FSC centre.
2012 Introducing Lichens - dates and venues (PDF, 11KB)
Kick start your lichen knowledge with an OPAL air survey
Before you go on a course, why not look for some common lichens on an OPAL air survey? It’s simple, fun and a great way to learn about common species.
Enter our Plymouth Wildlife and Nature Photography Competition
OPAL South West has launched a new photography competition open to all ages and abilities. You can even enter using your mobile phone camera.
The challenge is simple - we’re looking for photos that capture the diverse range of wildlife and nature in Plymouth.
There are four competition categories: close-up images, landscape, urban wildlife, and mobile phone. There are also three age groups – Under 14s, 14-18, and over 18s.
Winners will receive a high quality canvas print of their winning photograph, which will also be displayed at a Plymouth University exhibition.
The deadline for entries is 30 March 2012.
So if you live in Plymouth, or will be visiting over the next couple of months, don’t forget to keep a camera close at hand.
For more information on the competition and how to enter, see our competition page below.
Complete OPAL surveys and claim a free reward
Become an OPAL Explorer and you'll receive a free Explorers Pack when you complete three or more surveys.
OPAL surveys are a fun way to learn about the environment and contribute to valuable research. Our scientists are keen to receive as many of your survey results as possible before publishing their findings later this year.
So if you've tried digging for earthworms, why not test the health of your pond? Or hunt for bugs in your garden? As an added incentive we're offering a free Explorers Pack to anyone who completes three or more different surveys.
The pack consists of a notepad, pencil and magnifier to help you record local wildlife, and a few other goodies including a certificate and stickers for each survey you complete.
How to become an OPAL Explorer
To get started you'll need to register an OPAL account (if you haven't done so already).
Once registered, simply take part in three surveys and submit your results online. Make sure you log in first so we can credit the surveys to your account.
You can easily keep track of the surveys you’ve completed on your My Account page. Once you've completed three or more surveys, simply email us to claim your reward.
Happy surveying!
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