National Plant Monitoring Scheme: 10th Anniversary Volunteer Day, Glenarm, Northern Ireland

The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) turns 10 years old in 2025, and we are looking to celebrate ten years among the wildflowers, with all our volunteers and supporters. This autumn, we're highlighting the incredible achievements of our volunteers and supporters by hosting a series of celebrations, both online and in person.

• On Saturday 18th October, we’d love for you to join our online celebration event from the comfort of your own home, with speakers, workshops, a panel discussion and more! You can find out more about the online celebration and book your place here.

• On Saturday 25th October, we are holding a volunteer day in Lough Neagh Discovery Centre in Armagh, to meet up with other NPMS volunteers, compare stories, get support in areas you’re finding challenging, and enjoy a networking lunch. We're also planning talks on botanical photography and the community approach to surveying your square, as well as plant ID and indicator workshops. Reserve your free spot here!

• On Thursday 6th November, we are holding a second volunteer day in Glenarm, co. Antrim, to meet up with other NPMS volunteers, compare stories, get support in areas you’re finding challenging, and enjoy a networking lunch. Reserve your free spot below.

• And finally, on Friday 14th November, we will also hold a day in Belfast for organisations and other stakeholders who are involved with NPMS - whether that be providing locations to do surveys, or giving CPD days for your employees to volunteer. Please contact kim.lake@bsbi.org for more information.

The updated programme for our NPMS Volunteer Day in Glenarm on the 6th November will include:

• Overview of NPMS project and The future of NPMS/the next 10 years.
• NPMS Volunteer opportunities.
• The Community Group /Team Approach to monitoring squares.
• Interactive learning and outdoor surveying practice.

Come along and celebrate with us: reserve your free space now!

The venue

Glenarm Community Hall, 2, The Bridge, Glenarm, Co. Antrim BT44 0AP

Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G4xQXS7SkxELMAgz9

Getting here

• There are a number of bus routes that service Glenarm. Check the Translink website to find suitable options from your location.
  • Route 128 departs from Ballymena Buscentre at 8:55am, and reaches Glenarm  (Seaview Primary School) at 9:36am.
  • Route 162 departs at 9:10am from Larne Bus Station and reaches Glenarm at 9:35am

Refreshments / catering

• Teas, coffees and biscuits will be provided throughout the day (please let us know on the booking form, if you have any dietary requirements related to this). 
• We are finalising the lunch options, and will tell you more once you've registered.

Cost

This event is free to attend but registration is essential.

Filming and photographs

We would like to film and/or photograph attendees listening to the talks and viewing the exhibits, so we can use the footage and images for publicity purposes. Please let us know when you book if you do not wish to be included in any such footage or photographs. We also encourage you to take photographs at the event and will set up a folder where these can be shared.

Contact

Want to know more about this event before you book? Email Kim Lake, BSBI's Training Officer for the Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project: kim.lake@bsbi.org

Want to know more about the NPMS? Email Rachel Murphy: Rachel.Murphy@plantlife.org.uk 

Volunteer enquiries: support@npms.org.uk