mosses
British Pteridological Society (BPS)
Project: Ferns and Fossils at Manchester Museum
2009 OPAL grant awarded: £500
A public event can be the perfect way for a natural history society to engage new audiences and attract new members.
The British Pteridological Society used its £500 OPAL grant to organise a ferns and fossils event at Manchester Museum on 26 September 2009.
As one of the museum’s monthly ‘Big Saturday’ events, the day included talks, quizzes, displays of ferns and fossils, demonstrations on growing ferns, and a variety of children’s activities. BPS members were on hand throughout the day to answer all the public’s questions.
The event provided great exposure for the BPS with 1,060 people taking part in activities.
What are pteridophytes?
Pteridophytes are vascular plants that reproduce and disperse only via spores. They do not produce flowers or seeds. The group consists mainly of ferns such as horsetails and adder’s tongues, but also includes club mosses and spike mosses.
About the British Pteridological Society
The BPS was founded in 1891. It aims to promote the appreciation, conservation and study of pteridophytes through meetings, talks and regular publications. Membership is open to amateurs and professionals of all ages.
East of England - local nature and wildlife activities
Discover your local environment with OPAL
Take part in an OPAL survey
Learn more about soils, water, lichens and climate, and contribute to valuable research with our OPAL surveys.
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We can organise an event specifically for your group. Previous events include survey days, pond dipping, and minibeast hunts. Contact opaleastofengland@herts.ac.uk.
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.
See photos from previous OPAL events.Extraordinary species
Discover the mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi that grow on and around different varieties of fruit trees.
Join in an orchard investigation
Help us explore the wildlife within local fruit-growing sites. Use microscopes and digital photography to help identify and record what you have found. If you're interested in getting involved contact opaleastofengland@herts.ac.uk.
Field guides
We are producing simple guides to the wildlife and plants that can be spotted in orchards to inform your own explorations and bring these habitats alive.
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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,