Understanding Plant Communities of Neutral Grassland - Wiltshire

This course covers neutral grassland and is delivered in two parts – 1) a recording to watch in advance that will introduce neutral grasslands and; 2) an in-person training session looking at neutral grasslands in the field. These two parts will cover:

• An introduction to neutral grasslands: geology and soils, broad geographic distribution, habitat descriptions and definitions
• Identification of key indicator species for neutral grasslands
• Neutral grassland plant communities and what they can tell us about the land

• Understand what defines neutral grasslands
• Be able to identify key indicator species for neutral grasslands, including grasses, sedges and rushes
• Be able to recognise different types of neutral grasslands
• Understand the conditions and landscape context of acid grasslands

• People who survey, assess and manage grasslands.
• Participants should have some basic botanical identification skills.

• Hand lens
• Plant identification books. For example: Collins Wildflower Guide, BSBI handbook, FSC booklets
• Food and drink
• Suitable clothing and protection. For example: long-sleeved top and long trousers (to prevent tick-bites), waterproofs, warm clothing, hat, sunscreen.

Sam is an ecologist and field botanist, with nine years’ of professional consultancy experience. Sam leads Plantlife’s Biodiversity Consultancy. He is accredited to FISC Level 5 in vascular plant identification and is passionate about sharing botanical knowledge.

Emma is an ecological advisor for Plantlife’s Biodiversity Consultancy, with experience in habitat assessment and classification, as well as training others in these techniques. In her current and previous roles, Emma also provides advice to land managers on best practice habitat management, particularly in relation to grasslands.

Both tutors are First Aid trained.

The in-person session will be delivered at Blakehill Farm, Wiltshire.

Blakehill Farm is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve. The site is a former military airfield but is now a wildlife-rich hay meadow and pasture. Blakehill is the biggest open grassland site in North Wiltshire.

The site entrance is located at Blakehill Farm, Malmesbury Road, Swindon, SN6 6RA; What3Words: ///captive.drape.hazel

Parking instructions will be supplied with the booking. Parking is free.

Please note the ground may be sloping or uneven on the site and we may be walking through long grassland. Therefore, access may be limiting for some people.

Toilet facilities are available at the site.

This event is being run by Plantlife Biodiversity Consultants.

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Host or Publisher Plantlife