Q: Is this group suitable for complete beginners at plant identification?
A: Yes, anyone with an interest in botany, whatever your level of expertise is welcome. We encourage the learning and sharing of botanical knowledge. Even a complete beginner may spot a plant which no one else noticed.
Q: Are your events free to join?
A: If you have never attended a field meeting or indoor talk before, you are welcome to attend your first field meeting and indoor talk free of charge. If you wish to continue to attend field meetings or talks there is an annual membership fee to join the Group or there is a fee to join individual events. Please see the Home page for details on how to become a member. The committee reserve the right to refuse membership to anyone found to have committed a gross breach of the Constitution of Bradford Botany Group or its Code of Conduct or to have otherwise brought The Group into disrepute.
Q: Can I pay my membership fee by bank transfer instead of by cheque?
A: Yes. Please contact us for details. Your completed membership form can be posted to us with a cheque or can be emailed to us and the fee paid by bank transfer.
Q: What are the benefits of membership?
A: Please see Become a member
Q: How do people travel to field meetings?
A: Please make your own way to the meeting place given in the programme. Please consider the environment and travel in the most sustainable way that is practical for you. Some may wish to car share where possible. If you would like a lift to the site, please contact us and we will endeavor to help. A useful website is UK Grid Reference Finder which you can use to input the Grid Reference and find the site location.
Q: Can children attend the events?
A: Persons below the age of 18 are very welcome but must be accompanied by an adult member of Bradford Botany Group, who shall have total responsibility at all times for their conduct and supervision. We regularly have children attending our field meetings.
Q: Can I bring my dog to a field meeting?
A: Pets are not normally permitted at field meetings.
Q: I have some mobility issues. Are any of your field meetings suitable for me?
A: Please contact us to discuss. Some of our field meetings may involve crossing multiple stiles but others may be more suitable. Many of our field meetings involve a walk of approximately 2 to 5 miles but this is often at a fairly slow pace to enable us to observe and record the plants we encounter. Sometimes, a longer or quicker walk is desirable in order to reach a site for a target plant or habitat.
Q: Can I get group membership of Bradford Botany Group for my local wildlife group?
A: Bradford Botany Group can only accept memberships from individuals/families and not organised groups as a whole.
Q: What do I need to bring when I attend a field meeting?
A: Here is a checklist of items you may find useful (this is not an exhaustive list):
A packed lunch including a drink. Bring plenty of water if it's a hot day. A thermos flask can keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.
Appropriate footwear. Walking boots are ideal (or wellies if the site is wet). Trainers may be adequate if the terrain is not too rough.
Appropriate clothing. It is normally advisable to bring a waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers. You may also need extra clothing for warmth.
A rucksack cover is useful in very wet weather
Sun protection such as sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat
Insect repellent
Medical kit
Hand sanitiser
A Sit-mat or garden kneeler is useful if you want to take a closer look at plants near the ground
A hand lens (also know as a jewellers loupe) is useful for viewing small details of plants. This is often essential for accurate species identification but also reveals the smaller scale beauty of many plants. A hand lens with x10 magnification is sufficient most of the time.
Plant identification field guide(s)
A notebook and pencil if you wish to jot down what you see for your own records
Small ruler (e.g. for measuring the size of leaves/petals) and flexible tape measure (e.g. for measuring a tree circumference)
Camera/GPS/mobile phone
Binoculars can be useful to view plants that are more inaccessible such as on a rock face high above a path