Peatlands Under Pressure
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.
Join BDS and Angus Alive Rangers to help improve the dragonfly ponds at our first ever Dragonfly Hotspot, Crombie Country Park, near Monikie in Angus. Meet at 10am in the car park at What3Words ref https://map.what3words.com/centrally.torn.centrally
Wear wellies (or waders if you have them), as well as waterproofs and warm clothes as we’ll be removing sedges from one of the ponds and it will be a wet and muddy job (though great fun)! Bring your lunch and a drink though biscuits will be provided.
Please book by emailing Ranger Calum on Callum.Lyall@angusalive.scot so we know how many tools & biscuits to bring.
We look forward to seeing you there!
There are two walks on this day:
Morning: 10:30-13:00
Afternoon: 14:00-16:30
Book your tickets here – limited spaces available
£5 per person (kids go free); please bring it on the day.
These are joint walks between Natural England and the British Dragonfly Society.
This guided walk will introduce you to the rare quaking bog habitat and the endangered White-faced Darters that live there.
Meeting/ parking place: Grid reference: SK 02219 28970. Meeting point is on A518 Stafford to Uttoxeter road, 4 miles west of Uttoxeter and 7 miles east of Stafford. Approaching from the Stafford direction, please park on the wide grassy road verge 1 mile beyond Chartley castle. Approaching from Uttoxeter the meeting point is 0.3 miles past the timber yard/ former filling station. A useful landmark at the meeting point is a tarmac farm drive with green iron gateposts and a number of copper beech trees. Please be extremely careful when parking, this is a very fast and dangerous stretch of road.
Image by L.B. Tettenborn
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.
Register here
This will be an online event held over Zoom open to members and non-members. It will be free but donations are welcome.
The full programme will be confirmed shortly so please keep an eye on this page.
Confirmed Speakers
Ending the Sale of Peat ~ Sally Nex, Peat-free Partnership
Marsh Wood Pond, a case study of Odonata population changes in Oxfordshire ~ Stephen Burch, County Dragonfly Recorder for Oxfordshire
Wild London; the weird world of Dragonfly Larvae ~ Jon Van Gowler, a County Dragonfly Recorder for Somerset
Programme
| 09:30 | Welcome |
| 09:45 | Talk 1 |
| 10:15 | Talk 2 |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:00 | Talk 3 |
| 11:30 | Talk 4 |
| 12:00 | Break |
| 12:15 | Q&A morning speakers |
| 12:45 | Lunch |
| 13:45 | Talk 5 |
| 14:15 | Talk 6 |
| 14:45 | Break |
| 15:00 | Talk 7 |
| 15:40 | Q&A afternoon speakers |
| 16:10 | End |
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.
You are invited to the next Royal Entomological Society Outreach SIG meeting at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh on 22 November.
Be inspired…
By guest speakers:
Entomologist, farmer and conservationist Dr Sarah Beynon, shares her experience of Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm and her latest conservation projects.
Naturalist, ecologist and TV presenter Nick Baker, who is embarking on a new Scottish wood ant project.
Be creative…
In workshops with:
Curator Ashleigh Whiffin & artist Ed Harrison will share how the Wild Wings of Hope project was delivered at NMS and give delegates a taster of these creative workshops.
Jessica Symons, the anthropologist and digital consultant who brought us Giant Insect World, will be guiding us to create modern, dynamic experiences.
Be collaborative…
Throughout the day, with:
A dedicated poster session to network, chat and see what exciting entomology outreach projects have been going on.
Opportunities to meet like-minded people and plan your next outreach venture, whether it’s a small local project or a major event for Insect Week!
If you love entomology outreach, this is the place for you!
Join BDS and NatureScot to help improve the dragonfly ponds at wonderful Dragonfly Hotspot, Morton Lochs, near Tayport in Fife. Meet at 10am in the Morton Lochs car park at What3Words ref https://what3words.com/processes.booms.carry
Wear wellies (or waders if you have them), as well as waterproofs and warm clothes. Bring your lunch and a drink though tea/ coffee and biscuits will be provided.
Please book by emailing site manager Marijke on marijke.leith@nature.scot so we know how many tools & biscuits to bring.
We look forward to seeing you there!