BSBI website
The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI), founded in 1836, is a registered charity and the largest organization dedicated to
the study, mapping, and conservation of wild plants in Britain and Ireland. It supports a network of both amateur and professional botanists, facilitating the recording of plant species across the region.
Core Areas of Work
Botanical Recording & Mapping: The BSBI organizes extensive surveys to map plant distribution, with a primary achievement being Plant Atlas 2020, which documented changes in the flora of Britain and Ireland based on over 30 million records.
Scientific Research & Monitoring: The society monitors plant trends, such as the impact of climate change, the rise of invasive species, and the decline of native species, using data from its network of Vice-county Recorders.
Data Management & Accessibility: The BSBI maintains the largest database of its kind, with over 60 million records available for research, conservation, and policy.
Publications & Resources: They publish BSBI News, the peer-reviewed journal British and Irish Botany, and specialized handbooks for plant identification.
Training & Outreach: The BSBI provides training for all skill levels, including field meetings, workshops, and online resources like the New Year Plant Hunt.
Conservation Advocacy: The society works with government agencies and NGOs to provide data that informs conservation decisions and policy, such as updating the vascular plant Red List for Great Britain.
Structure -
Volunteers: The work is largely driven by a network of volunteer recorders in 113 vice-counties in Britain and 40 in Ireland.
Governance: The society is managed by a council of elected members and is a registered charity in England, Wales, and Scotland.