The Purbeck Natural History Forum works with landowners and conservation organisations across the Purbeck area. There is plenty of information on the Purbeck Natural History Forum website where you can sign up for events, but a summary of recording groups is given below.
Purbeck Natural History Forum – National Trust – Monthly Botany Blitz: Purbeck Heaths NNR
As part of our ongoing monitoring of the Purbeck Heaths NNR, we will be running a monthly botanical recording session to generate records of vascular plants in under recorded areas of the NNR. The surveys take place on a Wednesday in a variety of locations within the NNR. Surveys consist of a walkover method (no quadrats), recording the presence of all vascular plant species, keeping a particular eye out for 37 vascular plant species that have been identified as a priority for monitoring by the Purbeck Heaths Partnership. You do not need previous experience to join in. However, we are always keen to hear from those with identification experience who are willing to help less experienced members to learn and develop their skills.
Purbeck Natural History Forum – National Trust – Bryophyte Group
This group meets weekly (weather depending) on a Thursday during the winter to record mosses and liverworts in a variety of locations across the Purbeck Heaths NNR and beyond. During the spring, summer and autumn, the group switches to vascular plants (see ‘Botany Group’). For further information, see the Purbeck Natural History Forum website:
Purbeck Natural History Forum – National Trust – Botany Group
This group meets weekly on a Thursday from spring through to autumn to record vascular plants across a variety of National Trust Purbeck sites. Tasks include Priority Habitat Monitoring using quadrat and structured walk methods of survey. Previous experience of plant identification and quadrat-based survey methods is preferred. During the winter, the group swaps to record mosses and liverworts (see Bryophyte Group).
Dorset Environmental Records Centre 