Botany Survey - July

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED

Join the Steyning Downland Scheme as we continue our annual plant survey of the Rifle Range and Steyning Coombe. Both these fields are filled with all sorts of classic downland wild flowers with wonderful old names such as 'Bird's-foot Trefoil' and 'Squinancywort'!

All botanical abilities, from newbie to experienced botanists are very welcome. You will be given a free identification guide to keep, which shows all the plants we will be looking for.

Please wear stout footwear (steep slopes), bring a water bottle and dress appropriately for the weather. We will be walking in open downland so a hat is advised on sunny days. Ticks can be a problem in any long grassland on the Downs, so long trousers tucked into socks are advised.

Meet at the Downland Orchard / Wild Play Area 4.45pm for a 5pm start (see map below). We aim to be finished by 6.30pm.

If you have joined us for botany surveys in previous years, this year you will notice we will be taking a slightly different approach. Previously we have just tried to record everything we see. This year we will be looking for the plants that tell us something about the quality of ther grassland from a conservation point of view (positive and negative indicator species). We will also be estimating their abundance. Taken together, this information will help us to make more informed decisions about how we manage the grassland in future -it should also mean we finish faster!

Thank you for helping with this important conservation project.