England Annual Meeting 2026: A Recording, Plant ID & Skills Conference
This is the first residential England Annual Meeting (EAM) organised by the Committee for England. It is open to all, though priority will be given to members from England and the Islands. The programme is deliberately flexible in order to accommodate any weather window that will allow local excursions in groups of up to 15. The workshops and talks will be given by participants, so be prepared to make a contribution.
The 2026 England Annual Meeting is based at the Field Studies Council Preston Montford Centre near Shrewsbury. The meeting is aimed at all members, but particularly those from England and the Islands, who want to start making plant records for the BSBI. It is intended that workshops will include plant ID sessions, practical recording work, talks and a group discussion. Potential skills sessions include map reading, use of the BSBI recording app, use of the DDb, how and what to record, taking images and more. The short excursions will aim to visit different habitats and give all participants practice in using the BSBI recording app. The timing is leisurely and may change at short notice in order to accommodate a weather window for an excursion. In order to cater for different levels of experience we will run some parallel sessions. Participants are welcome to suggest topics for workshops etc, and should be prepared to give them if appropriate.
There is no charge for attendance at the AGM only, which should be booked separately (for those not attending this meeting who would like to attend online).
Preston Montford offers the standard FSC centre accommodation, with cooked breakfast, DIY packed lunch and a two course evening meal. The centre is licensed. Most rooms are single ensuite, and there are some for multiple occupancy. Non-residents are welcome to join the group during the day and for meals.
Provisional Programme
Friday 18th September
From 1.00 pm Arrival and registration at FSC Preston Montford. Lunch is not provided. You may not be able to access your room until later in the day.
2.00 pm Welcome talks from the FSC and CfE.
2:15 pm Plant id session 1
3:30 pm Tea, cakes & discussion
4.15 pm Plant id session 2
6:30 pm Evening meal
8.00 pm Introduction to the BSBI recording app and DDb
9.00 pm Bar & discussion
Saturday 19th September
8.00 am Make your packed lunch
8.00 am Breakfast
9.00 am Excursion 1
12.30 am Packed lunch
1.30 pm Excursion 2
3.30 pm Tea, cakes & discussion
4.00 pm Session 1
6.30 pm Evening meal
8.00 pm AGM (hybrid)
9.00 pm Bar & discussion
Sunday 20th September
Please clear your room by 9.30 am.
8.00 am Make your packed lunch
8.00 am Breakfast
9.00 am Session 2
10.30 am Coffee & discussion
11.00 am Session 3
12.30 pm Packed lunch
14.00 pm approx end of meeting
Session topics will depend on what subjects the participants offer - please let us know in the checkout form if you would like to run a session or do a talk. Additionally, please let us know if there is anything that you would like to hear a talk on, and we may be able to find a volunteer among your fellow participants.
If you plan to have a car with you, we may ask if you are comfortable taking passengers on the excursions if required. As the distance travelled will be small, we will not reimburse travel expenses.
Booking
The registration fee is obligatory for everyone taking part in the EAM. It is set at £20 for BSBI members and £40 for non members. There is therefore an incentive to join the BSBI first!
For single accommodation (including breakfast, DIY packed lunch and dinner) the cost is £200 per person for the full weekend. If there are two people sharing accommodation the rate for the weekend is £350. If you are non-resident and would like meals, tea, coffee etc the cost is £75 for the weekend; pro-rata rates can be negotiated.
Please let us know in the checkout form if you have any special requirements (e.g. dietary, medical or room preferences)? It is helpful to give us any information that will help us make your attendance more enjoyable, including for example whether you have any auditory or mobility conditions.
Safety and booking terms
Please read this guidance for participants at BSBI events carefully, before booking.
Enquiries
Please contact Jonathan Shanklin, the Chair of the Committee for England jdsh@bas.ac.uk.
Photo credit: Matt Harding