We @NaturalEngland need better pay & terms to recruit & retain the skilled people necessary for a wildlife rich future. No one works in ecology or the public sector for the money but we do need to live & feel our work is valued. #ProspectStrike We also need dependable colleagues beside us delivering, not leaving after 6 months for a consultancy job. Pay a decent wage (not excessive - it’s still ecology, right) & many will stay coz that’s where their heart is. Let brilliant people literally save the world #ProspectStrike

My fav winter botanising is seeking strange snowdrops. Ergo, a thread on variation in wild Galanthus nivalis.. First up standard nivalis: Your basic snowdrop of woods, waysides& riverbanks. No intro required, other than to say it’s v variable in size & vigour #wildflowerhour 1/10 G. nivalis fm pleniflorus a common double form; it has multiple inner& often outer tepals in varying lengths& neatness. Its only partially fertile - able to provide a reduced amount of pollen, but not seed; consequently it always grows with standard nivalis where naturalised 2/10

Fancy trying your hand at Taraxacology for @wildflowerhour #Dandelionfest this weekend? A big part of ID’ing our 250ish dandelions to species is getting the right section. There are 9 sections in Britain & Ireland and excellent @BSBIbotany cribs for each. This thread might help.. Another big part is choosing the right plant: avoid plants which are mown, grazed, stressed, weedkillered, fertilised, dog weed on, shaded, too late, immature... pick happy average plants with unopened buds, open flowers and ideally one ripe clock. Ok, found a good one?...