The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026The final presentation of our AGM, concludes with David Hill talking about “The life of lichen lobes”, talking about lobe development in lichens as an important mechanism for lichen growth, taking lichens from 2-D TO 3-D. #lichens 0151 15
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026James Paton shares with us the lichen in his local area of Edinburgh, titled “The Street Where I Live”. Targeting unrecorded squares in the city and generating records! This highlights how you can contribute significantly to lichenology, whilst staying close to home!!! #lichens 1174 17
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026We now have Les Knight talking to us about the Lichens on drystone walls in Swaledale, discussing his observations on species diversity and distribution. Les has studied the rock in this valley for a long time and is great to hear about his studies! #lichens 0102 10
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026Our next presentation is by Susan-Mary Benbow, talking about Stella Lavinia Thrower. Giving fascinating history of Stella’s work on the Isle of Mann, Australia and Hong Kong. An incredible woman, with vast experience as an optician, lichenologist and botanists. #lichens 091 9
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026A handful of the wonderful stalls we have in the AGM foyer. From lichen sculptures, research projects, books for sale, student projects, photography and much much more. There is so much talent across the Society and we celebrate this every year at our AGM. #lichens 1326 32
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026We now have our President and organiser of the Shropshire Lichen Group, Mary Steer, talking about the importance of local lichen groups in generating churchyard records. Shropshire has 72 churches and cemeteries! Plenty to keep the group busy! #lichens 070 7
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026Next up, we have Janet Simkin, who manages the BLS database discussing “Churchyards - what do the lichen records tell us?” Churchyards have such a great variety of habitats and that is reflected in the lichens present. #lichens 040 4
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026Unfortunately, Harriet Carty cannot be here with us today for our AGM, but we have a fantastic pre-recorded presentation, from Caring for Gods Acre, talking about the importance of churchyards for wildlife and #lichens @caringforgodsacre.bsky.social 020 2
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026The Ursula Duncan award is one of the highest awards that the BLS can give to an individual. Judith has been presented the 2025 UD award, thanks to her dedication to the Lichen Chat & Improvement Group, with 218 zoom sessions delivered from 2020 - 2025. @judithallinson.bsky.social 050 5
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026A great turn out for our AGM this morning, discussing and voting on important BLS Matters. Our new President, Mary Steer is now in post and we thank our former President, Fay Newbury for all of her efforts the last two years!! #lichens 060 6
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 31/01/2026A fantastic finish to our first day of our AGM, with a dinner at the Crown and Mitre Hotel. The evening consisted by an inspiring talk by Dr. Nicholas Carter from Oxford University with an opportunity for our members to network and catch up!!! #lichens @neacarter.bsky.social 030 3
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 30/01/2026What an honour to have Dr Nicholas Carter from the University of Oxford talking about “Our Living Stone - Lichens at Blenheim Palace”, sharing research on lichens as a bioprotective layer on rock #lichens @neacarter.bsky.social 071 7
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 30/01/2026The British Lichen Society’s AGM 2026 is in full swing. After a day of productive meetings, we are now so lucky to have our keynote speaker, Dr. Nicholas Carter to share with us his work on the lichens of Blenheim Palace. Great turn out for this fascinating talk. #lichens @neacarter.bsky.social 041 4
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 22/12/2025“Lichens of Britain & Ireland” by Rebecca Yahr and Frances Stoakley is finally available for purchase. This has been a much needed ID guide for beginners to intermediates and the publication is finally here!! www.bloomsbury.com/uk/lichens-o... #bloomsbury #lichens 18920 89
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 05/12/2025The British Lichen Society photo competition is open to all. The themes this year are ‘Under the microscope’ and ‘The bigger picture’. Find the full details at the bottom of our AGM Weekend page. Judging will take place by popular vote during this event. britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... 03412 34
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 05/12/2025Booking is now open for the British #Lichen Society AGM weekend in Carlisle 30th Jan - 1st Feb 2026. britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... Even if you're not a member, why not come along to meet us, to hear talks about lichens, and to take part in our Sunday field trip at Carlisle Cemetery. 094 9
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 05/12/2025First meeting for the Pembrokeshire #Lichen Group was held on the 23rd November with an incredible attendance of 35 people at Scolton Manor Park. If you would like to get involved, please contact Jon Hudson: britishlichensociety.org.uk/get-touch/lo... 083 8
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 05/12/2025Make sure you tune into BBC #Countryfile on Sunday 14th December to catch lichenologist, David Hill talk about the wonderful diversity of lichens that inhabit this pre-historic movement. More information here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... #lichens Photo credit: David Hill 01810 18
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 05/09/2025An opportunity of a lifetime for budding lichenologists. The National Trust and the Royal Botanics, Edinburgh are offering a PAID lichen traineeship in #Scotland! The work programme looks fascinating and a great opportunity to develop skills. Deadline: 3/10/2025. www.asva.co.uk/jobs/trainee... 110050 100
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 04/09/2025BLS will welcome applications from members for travel grants to attend IAL10 next summer. The full details of the application process and closing date for applications are on the website. britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/.... 021 2
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 22/06/2025Happy World Rainforest Day! Join April Windle from the British Lichen Society to explore one of Devon’s finest temperate rainforests and the #lichens found there. Full video can be found on YouTube: youtu.be/OjCsyR6CThk?... #worldrainforestday #worldrainforestday2025 13510 35
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 22/06/2025Happy World Rainforest Day! #Lichens are an important feature of these wonderful habitats. From loop lichens, to yellow speckle-belly’s to the red eyed shingle lichen & everything in between - they add so much beauty to our rainforests! #worldrainforestday2025 #worldrainforestday 24912 49
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 14/03/2025A great weekend at the end of February for the BLS Winter Workshop at Preston Montford, led by Neil Sanderson, Brian Coppins & John Douglass, working through lots of problem specimens and a trip to Alcott Woodlands. Photos (c) Douglass #lichens 070 7
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 04/03/2025Want to find out more about lichens, there are events listed in March in Cumbria, Hampshire, Shropshire, and Tayside britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... 0154 15
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 01/02/2025Finally its February - a new month with events and walks available if you're interested in lichens. Walks listed in Cumbria, Hampshire, Shropshire, Fife and Strathclyde britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... 0355 35
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 17/01/2025If you're interested in finding out more about lichens, do look at the British Lichen Society's (BLS) events page for walks, talks and more across the country over the next few months britishlichensociety.org.uk/the-society/... 111426 114
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 12/01/2025The field meeting as part of the #BLSAGM2025 has started in Hyde Park, South Kensington. A great turn out from the Society today and thank you so much to the Royal Parks for having us. #lichens 0194 19
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Final presentation of the AGM is by our former president Neil Sanderson. Neil shares his use of the BLS interactive maps as a professional lichenologist to target lichen recording in his home patch. Finding a new & undescribed Graphis species to science #BLSAGM2025 #lichens 193 9
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025The next short talk is by Cassie Laughlin and follows on perfectly from the previous presentation. This talk, titled “inspired by interactive maps” - generating new and important records for Xanthoria parietina. Encouraging everyone to share lichen records with the BLS #BLSAGM2025 #lichens 182 8
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Now for the series of short talks, where we have a great variety of speakers! First up, a recorded presentation by Ann Claypole - “Pedagogical aspects of the interactive map”, where she quotes “distribution maps are at the heart of the BLS” #BLSAGM2025 #lichens 030 3
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Our fourth presentation of the day, is by Rolf Gademann & T.G. Allan Green titled, “watching lichens at work - chlorophyll fluorescence in ecophysiology”. #BLSAGM2025 #lichens 161 6
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Next up we have Holger Thus from the State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart - talking about the past, present & future of European freshwater habitats. Titled “Clean, cool & flowing or dirty, dry & plagued by disasters”. #lichens #BLSAGM2024 041 4
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Second talk of the afternoon, is a recorded presentation from Buddhika Weerakoon from Peradeniya University, Sri Lanka, speaking about the “effects of ammonia on #lichens in a tropical environment”. #BLSAGM2024 061 6
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025Our afternoon of lectures have begun, starting off with Chris Ellis from the RBGE, with a presentation on “Understanding climate change at a scale relevant to #lichens - identifying risks and opportunities”. #BLSAGM2025 061 6
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 11/01/2025A morning full of British Lichen Society business at our #BLSAGM2025. Great turn out in person and online as well. Excellent work across the board, with all BLS Officers re-elected for their posts. #lichens 071 7
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 10/01/2025"Populations on the British Isles are key for the long-term survival of the threatened lichen species in the North-Atlantic region". Couldn't have asked for a more inspirational talk to start our #BLSAGM2025. A massive heartfelt thank you Silke!!! #lichens 0121 12
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 10/01/2025Kickstarting a weekend of #lichens with Silke Werth (LMU Munich) for the Swinscow Lecture, sharing research on genetic diversity & population structure of Lobaria & Sticta species on the Atlantic archipelago. Absolutely fascinating!!! #BLSAGM2025 0132 13
The British Lichen Society @britishlichensociety.org.uk · 10/01/2025A weekend of #lichens has begun at the #NaturalHistoryMuseum, for the BLS AGM 2025. What a wonderful turnout from our friends & colleagues across the globe. We have a great selection of talk this weekend - so stay tuned!! #BLSAGM2025 0195 19
