About the event

This event will be led by expert botanist Steve Parker from Somerset Rare Plants Group, and is aimed at anyone involved in the Wilder Churches initiative that would like to get to know some of the wildflowers and other plants that occur in churchyards and burial grounds. Steve will provide an introduction to wild plants, how to record and what aids are available to help plant identification.

Steve will then guide you through a survey of the churchyard, helping you to identify common species and the many wildflowers that occur in the churchyard’s two wildflower meadow areas. St James' Church has been managed with wildlife in mind for a number of years and is a fantastic example of the species-rich grassland habitats that often remain in churchyards and other burial grounds, that have been lost in the wilder countryside.

Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Hannah Paddison will also be on hand to support and help you think of ways to put your new skills into action to get to know the wildlife value of your local churchyard or burial ground.

The suggested donation for this event is £5.

The event is part of Wilder Churches, a joint initiative between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which is supporting communities to get to know the wildlife in their local churchyard, other church land or burial ground and work together to find ways to increase the value of these special places for wildlife. Find out more on our website.