Join Dr Mark Spencer to record the plants of Stanmore Common.

Botanical recording is important because it helps us understand the diversity and distribution of plant species, track environmental changes, and inform conservation efforts. In London, where green spaces range from parks and nature reserves to urban redevelopment sites, recording which plants are present is vital for managing biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems. This information helps site managers make informed decisions about habitat restoration, invasive species control, and sustainable landscaping, ensuring that urban environments continue to support wildlife, improve air quality, and provide valuable green spaces for people.

Join like-minded nature enthusiasts for a day of finding, identifying and recording plants in an informal setting. Naturalists of all levels (from beginner to expert) are encouraged to attend, share their experiences with peers and help one another improve their knowledge and build confidence in biological recording. Botany specialist Mark Spencer will be leading the day and providing guidance throughout.

What will the day involve?

Practical experience of finding, identifying and recording plants in the field.

Access to a specialist botanist and the opportunity to discuss field botany.

A chance to meet like-minded nature enthusiasts.

What do I need to know in advance?

This event is aimed at adults only.

It’s free to attend and botany recorders of all abilities are welcome, but booking is essential.

All identification will be completed in the field where possible, though please note that this event will involve some experienced individuals collecting botanical specimens for further investigation.

Please bring suitable clothing for the weather – we'll be outside all day

Please bring food for the day with you (i.e. lunch)

All records collected will be added to iRecord in order to share our findings with the site managers, Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), London Natural History Society (LNHS) and relevant national recording schemes and societies.

Check out our Info for Field Recorder Day Attendees page for more info (including instructions for setting up iRecord): https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/info-for-field-recorder-day-attendees/ (https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/info-for-field-recorder-day-attendees/)

Botany Specialist: Dr Mark Spencer

Dr Mark Spencer is an experienced and internationally respected botanist. His expertise covers many disciplines including forensic botany, the plants of North-west Europe, invasive species and the history of botanical science. He also works globally as a seasoned writer, public speaker and television presenter. As a forensic botanist, Mark has worked on various missing person enquiries, murders and other serious crimes.

Stanmore Common

This Field Recorder Day will take place at Stanmore Common, a large (122 ha) council-owned Local Nature Reserve and Site of Metropolitan Importance to Wildlife in the London Borough of Harrow. Habitat wise, the site is largely mature woodland, dotted with small areas of acid grassland and wetland towards the north. This mix of regionally rare habitats – particularly the remnant areas of acid grassland – justify the site’s importance for nature. The site is maintained and monitored by volunteers for the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum (HNCF). You can find out more about the site and its wildlife on the website here (https://www.harrowncf.org/SC_home.html).

This Field Recorder Day is being delivered by the Biological Recording Company (https://biologicalrecording.co.uk/) in collaboration with the London Borough of Harrow (https://www.harrow.gov.uk/).

Description supplied by the event organiser.