Have you ever been walking through Northern Irelands beautiful outdoors, and stopped to inspect some flora, stumped as to what it is? If youve been wanting to learn more about plant identification or refresh your existing skills, now is the perfect time to get started. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) is hosting a series of weekend workshops over the coming weeks, run by Jen Farrar, the BSBI Botanical Skills Officer in Northern Ireland.Who are the BSBI?The Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to the study and conservation of wild plants. With a history spanning over 180 years, the BSBI supports research, provides training opportunities, and helps enthusiasts of all levels discover the fascinating world of botany.Whats On Offer?Jen Farrar will be delivering two types of workshopsone for complete beginners, and another at an intermediate levelover the next four weekends in January and February. These sessions range from identifying winter trees and twigs to recognising ferns, seed pods, leaf rosettes, and even learning how to use the famous Poland & Clements Vegetative Key to the British Flora.Beginner Workshops (Saturdays):Perfect for those just starting their botanical journey. You dont need any prior experiencejust come with interest and enthusiasm.Intermediate Workshops (Sundays):Ideal for anyone who already has some familiarity with plant identification and wants to dive deeper into more advanced techniques and methods.Upcoming Dates and LocationsThere are multiple sessions spread across January and February, taking place at Drumnaph Nature Reserve (Maghera, Co. Derry) and Murlough NT National Nature Reserve (Dundrum, Co. Down). Each event details can be found in the links below:Saturday 25th January (Beginner) Winter Trees & TwigsSunday 26th January (Intermediate) Winter Leaf Rosettes & Seed PodsSaturday 1st February (Beginner) Identifying Ferns (Murlough)Sunday 2nd February (Intermediate) Using Poland & Clements Vegetative Key (Murlough)Saturday 8th February (Beginner) Identifying Ferns (Drumnaph)Sunday 9th February (Intermediate) Using Poland & Clements Vegetative Key (Drumnaph)For times, costs, and further details, please see the event links or visit the main booking page here:BSBI Ticket Tailor Booking PageWhy Attend?Hands-On Learning: Youll work directly with Jen Farrar and other keen botanists, sharpening your skills in real-life field conditions.Friendly Atmosphere: Whether youre a complete beginner or already have a foundation in plant ID, the workshops are designed to be welcoming and inclusive.Flexible Dates: Theres a mix of Saturday and Sunday sessions, so you can choose what suits your level and schedule.Future Events: Keep your eyes peeledthere are even more workshops and events on the horizon!If youve ever wanted to delve into the world of botanyor take your existing knowledge furtherthese training workshops offer the perfect introduction or next step. Grab your spot now, and explore the rich plant life of Northern Ireland under expert guidance this winter.The post BSBI Training Workshops: Kick Start Your Botanical Journey in 2025 appeared first on WalkNI.