National Plant Monitoring Scheme

The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) is looking for people in Maisemore with an interest in wild plants or who would like to learn more about them.

The NPMS is helping improve understanding of what is happening to different habitats across the UK and is set to run for a number of years. It has now been running for two survey seasons and over 900 volunteers have signed up and been out surveying. One of the reasons the scheme has enjoyed such good success in attracting volunteers is because of the support of local parish councils. Many of these volunteers are new to plant surveying and have found the scheme accessible, are enjoying taking part and are exploring places close to them and finding out new things. Volunteers are supported by materials which are sent to them, online resources and free training courses.

Do you know somebody who enjoys being outside? There are still opportunities to get involved with the scheme as a volunteer. In fact the more volunteers the scheme has, the more information is generated making for an even better understanding of what is happening in the landscape.

The NPMS is a partnership between Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI); JNCC; Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) and Plantlife and is backed by the government. Volunteers are recruited and supported to survey 5 plots in a kilometre square close to where they live. The plots will be surveyed twice a year. The kilometre squares to monitor have been identified by stratified random sampling. The plants have been chosen as indicators of the health of individual habitats. There are 3 levels volunteers can participate at depending on confidence and knowledge and support will be provided both through training; web and telephone.

Across Gloucestershire there are still 30 squares available to survey, one of which is to the south of Maisemore either side of the river Severn.

The live map on the NPMS website shows the squares that are available: http://www.npms.org.uk/square-near-me-public?dynamic-return_all_squares=true

To sign up please visit www.npms.org.uk or for further information please email support@npms.org.uk or phone 01722 342743.