Looking Closer: An Introduction to invertebrate macrophotography
The Biodiversity Shorts are a series of webinars that delve into a range of natural history topics, with live discussion and tuition from an expert tutor. All webinars will be hosted on Zoom, and they will be approximately one hour long, including time for questions from participants.
This River and Riparian Stewardship course is a four-day extended residential experience with additional online learning and assessment delivered in partnership between the Field Studies Council and Riverlution. Designed for those looking to build real-world skills, the course combines hands-on river and habitat management with expert tuition.
The Aquatic Insects Special Interest Group event brings together researchers, conservation practitioners and enthusiasts to explore cutting-edge approaches in aquatic ecosystem monitoring and management.
Through hands-on workshops and expert presentations, participants will gain practical skills in modern analytical techniques while engaging with current challenges in freshwater biodiversity conservation.
The event will comprise of a full day meeting on Thursday 26 February with an optional morning workshop on Friday 27 February (included in the price).
The theme of the 2026 conference is ‘Peatlands Under Pressure’, and it will be exploring the challenges peatlands face from development, intensive land management and a changing climate, as well as the opportunities presented by scaling up nature-based solutions to environmental pressures.
The conference takes you to Swansea University’s Bay Campus in South Wales, a beautiful location with its own beach, seafront promenade and on-site accommodation, and the perfect base from which to explore the peatlands of South Wales. Over three days, there will be plenary sessions, workshops, topic deep dives and field visits bringing together research, policy and practice. Alongside this diverse programme, there will be additional opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing, with dedicated poster sessions and networking events, and an exhibition area throughout the event.
The 8th edition of the European Congress on Odonatology (ECOO) will take place for the very first time in Poland!
The organizing team is working tirelessly to ensure an unforgettable experience and a warm welcome to the land of Polish dragonflies. Poland is home to over 70 species of Odonata – from the commonly seen to the exceptionally rare. Among the rarest are Cordulegaster boltonii, Aeshna subarctica, and Coenagrion armatum. Learn more at https://wazki.pl/start.html
Conference Venue
The congress will be held from 23 to 26 June 2026 in Teresin, located just 40 km west of Warsaw. The venue is the historic Niepokalanów Monastery, founded over a century ago and run by the Conventual Franciscan Friars.
What to Expect
Over three days, participants will enjoy a rich program of engaging presentations, discussions on the latest research in Odonatology, and of course—good coffee and delicious pierogi!
One full day will be dedicated to a field trip to Kampinos National Park and its surroundings, including unique peat bogs and raised bogs. Located near Warsaw, Kampinos is one of Poland’s largest national parks, offering a rare mix of forests, wetlands, and dunes.
For the more adventurous, a post-congress tour is planned for 27 June to 3 July 2026, exploring the wild and beautiful nature of northern Poland, including the scenic Kashubian region.
Stay Tuned
We are currently finalizing all organizational details. Information about registration, travel, accommodation, and meals will begin to appear starting this autumn via our newsletter, website, and social media channels.
Freshwater invertebrates are a diverse and vital part of aquatic ecosystems in the UK, inhabiting rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. These diverse animals include insects, molluscs, crustaceans, and leeches. They play a key role in food webs and are often used as indicators for water quality.
This self-led course equips participants with essential identification skills for studying freshwater invertebrates. Providing an introduction to the main taxonomic groups commonly found in the UK’s freshwater habitats, this Freshwater Invertebrates course will help you develop a deeper understanding of their diversity and ecological importance.
Freshwater invertebrates are a diverse and vital part of aquatic ecosystems in the UK, inhabiting rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. These diverse animals include insects, molluscs, crustaceans, and leeches. They play a key role in food webs and are often used as indicators for water quality.
This self-led course equips participants with essential identification skills for studying freshwater invertebrates. Providing an introduction to the main taxonomic groups commonly found in the UK’s freshwater habitats, this Freshwater Invertebrates course will help you develop a deeper understanding of their diversity and ecological importance.
An illustrated talk with Kate Hawkins, introducing the dragonflies and damselflies of the Isle of Man, with tips on their ecology, behaviour and identification.
The event is free with no need to book, however donations are welcome.
There will also be some light refreshments.
Image by Dave Smallshire
Come and join us for this year’s annual Insect Show, hosted by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society (DaNES).
Delve into the wonderful world of insects and their relatives through interactive displays, mounted specimens and live exhibits. A variety of local and national organisations will have stands and fascinating talks will be held throughout the day, with something to interest all ages.
The show will take place in the Bramley Building, which is part of NTU’s Brackenhurst Campus. It is easy to find, located next to the A612 just south of Southwell. The Nottingham-Southwell bus stops outside, and for those coming by car there will be ample space for parking. There is also a lift by the entrance to the show and wheelchair access.
So … with plenty to see and do, the Orangery café for refreshments, and Brackenhurst’s idyllic rural grounds to explore for some late-season insect life … why not come along and make a day of it!
Join Canvey Wick Community Warden, Katie, for a special summer Walk the Wick event: Dragonfly Safari!
A social walk to connect with nature. All welcome!
Meet for refreshments and a chat from 10am at Morrison’s Community Room.