Prof Pen Holland

For #Wildflowerhour this week find a wild or naturalised bloom with quirky #CommonNames! Pictured is Scutellaria galericulata, commonly named Skullcap, Hoodwort & Helmet Flower as the flowers were likened to the galerum worn by Roman soldiers ! Share your finds this Sunday 8-9pm!

Attention Ecologists! We are going to need *a lot* of ecologists. The First Lego League Teams need to speak with a scientist about their projects every year. Every year it's a different type of scientist. Last year was archaeologists. This year, ecologists! Sign up: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

We're looking for a research associate to work on creative future visioning. You'll identify existing technologies which may be used to develop interactive simulations of evolving landscapes & help chart pathways to resilient ecosystems. Apply by 10 August: jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/rese...

Serious Play: Adult learning through games. This was a panel I was asked to be in at @yorkfestofideas.bsky.social hosted by the PLaY group at York Uni. Panel starts about 45s into the video. youtu.be/yEYMJxIlc0Y?... #playfulLearning

Hot & stuffy & looking forward to seeing you.

I've just found out about greengamesguide.com (Thanks to Zara from www.mazazagames.com for bringing it to my attention.) #playfulLearning #sustainability #gameDesign

Just in time for #UKGE2026 the new website for PLaY group is up at play-group.org !

⭐Nominate remarkable ecologists for our annual BES prizes⭐ Our awards recognise key influencers in our community whose work has benefited society and significantly advanced our understanding of the natural world🌿 Deadline for nominations is 19 April 🧪 www.britishecologicalsociety.org/bes-prizes/

I have a most delightful media request: I am looking to speak to one of my ecologist colleagues who plays any of the Pokemon games about some of the Pokemon that are based on real animals, and/or what you like about playing Pokemon. 🧪🌍 #SciComm

As we wait for the arrival of spring to catch up in some places, something a bit different for this week’s challenge! Many wild plants have interesting stories to tell. Find one & share your pics with a fascinating fact using hashtag #storyplants for #wildflowerhour Sunday 8-9pm!

We're finally seeing the sun at BES HQ in London 🌞 and it feels like t-shirt weather! To celebrate, there's free UK shipping on BES t-shirts - and everything else in our shop - this weekend 👕 Order from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday (GMT) - no codes needed 😎 britishecologicalsociety.teemill.com

Oh look at that, it’s raining again. Let’s look at some early daffodils on York’s walls instead.

I painted a whole year of flowers in 2025, then had a quiet month to recover, conveniently coinciding with a month of rain and mud. But it turns out that I miss the mindfulness of seeing colour in the hedgerows and putting it onto paper, so here’s a crocus to celebrate today’s sunshine. ☀️🎨🌸

If you're an active researcher or practitioner working in the field of applied ecology - why not apply to join us as an Associate Editor?🌍 We're seeking a range of expertise such as marine ecology, disease ecology & local knowledge!🧪 Find out more 👇 www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/appl...

'Sunset #SycamoreGap' etching by contemporary Northumberland based UK printmaker Rebecca Vincent #WomensArt

Deborah Lowe, contemporary stained glass artist, UK #WomensArt

Hi Playful Blueskyers... just a reminder that the call for submissions for this year's Playful Learning Conference is end of play on Mon 2nd Feb. Don't miss out! playfullearningassoc.co.uk/submit-a-ses...

'Running Iris' linocut by Australian printmaker Rachel Newling #WomensArt

If you're looking for new volunteering opportunities, then this post is for you 👇 We are now recruiting for roles in the EDGE Network, Climate Change Group, Welsh Policy Group and Alder Network.  Keep reading to find the role that best matches your interests and experience.

An Exclusive Look Inside My Writing Routine: www.tom-cox.com/an-exclusive...

Mona Caron, contemporary Swiss-born artist, known for her large scale murals of wild flowers connecting to environmental concerns #WomensArt

'January Thaw' by contemporary US printmaker Jeanne Amato #WomensArt

Introducing the second cohort of BES Fellows 🙌  We are delighted to announce that 23 outstanding ecologists have been selected to join our prestigious membership category.  👇Meet our new Fellows here 

Tough day? Tough week? Tough 2026? May the Hall on a sunny day bring you peace. 🧘

Yes it could be argued that keeping up with world events is important but alternatively can I interest you in hugging an ancient mossy boulder that looks like a face and quietly listening while it tells you stories from centuries cloaked in mist.

🦋🌿Hiring 12 x Botanists or Entomologists for 2026 field surveys in England! 4-month, full-time roles from late April to early September. Field sites in Yorkshire, Devon, Warwickshire, Kent/Sussex, Lincolnshire/Cambridge, Essex/Suffolk. Apply now: ceh.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CEH_Ca... 🧪

'Murmuration' by contemporary UK printmaker Hester Cox #WomensArt

Machine and hand embroidered lanscape artwork by Alison Holt, UK textile artist #WomensArt

The snowdrop is a messenger of the seasons, the darkest moment of winter has passed. It is a messenger of hope. #January1st #NewYearsDay Mary Delany, Galanthus Nivalis, Single Snowdrop, 1777 #womensart

And that’s a wrap on a year of watercolour #WildflowerHour: 365 flowers painted within a week of blooming. Mostly wildflowers, with a few garden escapes, and a whole lot of joy.

First snowdrops flowering in a sheltered courtyard in York, while the red campion clings on to summer and the dandelions remain bright. I’m celebrating #WildflowerHour with marzipan flowers for the Christmas cake this year.

Anyway is this the story I had published this year that made the most people claim to have leaked their precious vital essences out of their eyes? MAYBE. Am I thinking about the end of the world a lot? (A lot a lot a lot?) YES. psychopomp.com/everyone-kee...

We're currently looking for new Associate Editors to join our Editorial Board! 🌎🧪 If you're interested in contributing to the publishing landscape, check out the link below 👇 www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/appl...

Another self-heal to mark 330 flowers, as I approach the end of this year-long watercolour self-challenge. The really big question is, with 20 panels per page, will I stop at 365 flowers, finish the page at 380, or just keep going forever and ever and ever… 🌸

🌿🍄‍🟫🌱🍄We’re recruiting!!🌿🍄‍🟫🌱🍄 I’m looking for two postdocs and a technician to join my group @sheffielduni.bsky.social @sheffieldpps.bsky.social to work with me on my exciting @royalsociety.org Faraday Discovery Fellowship project, details for each post as follows:

We are happy to introduce the Soil Ecology SIG @britishecologicalsociety.org! Our aim is to connect soil ecology researchers across career stages, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration. Check out www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/plan... and feel free to get in touch!

🧵Can recognising rivers, forests, and mountains as legal persons help heal our planet? 🌏 Our new blog explores environmental personhood — from Ecuador’s pioneering constitution to Māori perspectives on the Whanganui River.

📣Calling ecological leaders! We're looking for people with a passion for effective leadership and management in the ecology workplace to join our Emerging Leaders and Managers (ELM) network committee.

'Golden Park Light' linoprint by contemporary printmaker Alexandra Buckle #ReframingWomenPrintmakers #Autumn #Fall

FOLKS! We are SO VERY NEAR to securing the peerless archive of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson for the nation, forever. That's Hancock, Steptoe and Son plus so so much more. Its all their scripts, professional correspodence, plus diaries, working notes - the lot yustart.hubbub.net/p/galtonands...

A quick reminder: if you read something you love, don't forget to write to the author to thank them for it, and tell them why you loved it.

Good morning from the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. May your day be as serene as the Great Hall is on a Sunday morning.

“What it has done, though, is made me think in more detail about the nature of what we define as work and what we define as “rest” from work.”

It’s the weekend! May your Saturday be as colourful and bright as the plasterwork on the Hall is yellow. 💛