Sarah’s Diary Nov 2025

BSBI conference at RBGE  

This month kicked off with the BSBI conference at RBGE, and it turned out to be one of the most thought provoking events I’ve attended so far. The programme had a strong focus on conservation and restoration work happening across Scotland, and it was inspiring to hear how much collaboration and research is driving these projects forward. 

One of the standout talks came from Dr Sarah H. Watts, researcher and conservation manager at Corrour. She spoke about the importance of blending rigorous ecological research with practical on the ground management to restore mountain woodland systems. The sheer scale of work required to bring back native montane forest became strikingly clear when she discussed the need to reduce deer densities to three or fewer per square kilometre, before natural regeneration can begin to take hold. It was a stark reminder of how tightly linked herbivore pressure, woodland structure and upland biodiversity really are. 

The RBGE Herbarium team followed with an illuminating update on the digitisation of their collections. I knew the Herbarium was vast from my recent student days, but hearing just how much of it is now available online, free to researchers, students, hobbyists and the generally curious worldwide, was genuinely impressive.  

We also heard from the RBGE Scottish Natives team, who provided an update on their ongoing work across Scotland’s landscapes. Their projects continue to grow in scale and complexity, from propagation to restoration, with a clear trajectory towards expanding the reach and impact of native plant recovery. It tied beautifully into the larger theme of the day: how we make space for resilient ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate. 

The two focused workshops I attended were excellent, and unexpectedly challenging in all the right ways. 

The first focused on alpine Taraxacum, and I’ll admit, I had absolutely no idea we had so many species hiding under what most people simply call a “dandelion.” We explored distribution patterns, morphological variation, and the fine grained features used in identification. I’m not saying I’m ready to tackle a dandelion key confidently… but I can now look at an alpine turf without dismissing the Taraxacum as “just another weed.” 

The second workshop was a lively discussion on conservation translocations, led by Alistair Whyte of Plantlife Scotland. It quickly became clear why this topic sits at the heart of modern conservation debates. Should we be doing translocations at all? And if we do, what form should they take: 

Reinforcement of existing populations? 

Reintroduction to former strongholds? 

Or truly new introductions into suitable habitat as climate shifts? 

And the biggest philosophical question of the day: when do we stop? 

The room split into passionate camps, highlighting just how complicated our responsibility to species recovery can be in a changing world. 

Break to Barbados

I took a short break from alpines this month, and used some annual leave to head to the Caribbean to visit family who live in a very different biome. Barbados has no alpine areas at all, yet the island is filled with spectacular tropical species that I am sure you will still all be able to appreciate. The vegetation is incredibly lush, shaped by a warm maritime climate, limestone geology, and a long cultural history of cultivation. Barbados is relatively young in geological terms and was formed by the uplift of ancient coral reefs. Its soils and climate support an impressive variety of flowering trees, palms, orchids and broadleaf evergreens. The island also has a rich botanical heritage. Plants were introduced and exchanged here for centuries through trade, colonial gardens, and the movement of people, and many of those introductions have naturalised to form strikingly diverse landscapes. 

There are several botanic and ornamental gardens on the island, each with their own character. I visited Andromeda Botanic Garden, which is set within a steep coastal gully which has protected it from agricultural cultivation therefore it is densely populated with mature tropical trees, climbers and understorey plants that create an almost continuous green canopy. Huntes Garden was equally impressive, arranged within a collapsed cave system that has produced deep, sheltered pockets where ferns, gingers, heliconias and shade loving shrubs thrive in humid air. Outside the cultivated gardens, the natural landscape contains its own remarkable species and scenery. Coastal areas support seagrape, palms, and wind sculpted vegetation, while the interior hills of the Scotland District are covered in lush mixed forest and grassland. Even a short walk reveals vibrant foliage, brilliantly coloured flowers and birds moving through the canopy. 

AGS AGM and conference

Upon my return I attended the AGS AGM and Conference, where I finally had the chance to put faces to many of the well-known names I have been hearing since the start of my traineeship. It was a full weekend of interesting and inspiring talks, and a lovely reminder of just how supportive and knowledgeable the alpine community is. 

The first speakers were my Türkiye travel companions from earlier in the year, the much-loved alpine duo the Wallises. They opened the programme with a generous and entertaining account of their shared journey into alpines, woven with stories about the places that shaped them and the plants that captured their attention. Their long-standing enthusiasm for the subject was evident throughout, and it set a warm tone for the rest of the day. 

Given my interest in conservation, one of the highlights for me was the Millennium Seed Bank presentation from Matthew Jeffery. It was fascinating to hear how collections are made, stored and managed, and to understand more about the scale of work involved in preserving genetic material for the future. The global reach of the seed bank and the long-term safeguarding it provides gave me a renewed appreciation for the importance of ex situ conservation. 

There was also an excellent talk on the Flora of Turkey from Chris Gardner. It was satisfying to recognise several of the regions he mentioned and to know that I had visited some of those same landscapes and even species-specific mountains earlier this year. The variety of habitats and the sheer number of species found there came across beautifully in his presentation. 

To complete the programme, Harry Jans took us on a rapid botanical journey around the world. It was ‘Around the world in 60 minutes’, I would happily have listened for another sixty hours. The range of mountains he has climbed, the conditions he has worked in and the species he has seen were remarkable. It really ignited my excitement to get out and explore and learn so much more! 

Back at RBGE

Finally, returning to RBGE was a chilly shock to the system. The temperature change felt abrupt compared to when I left, and even more so after the warmth of Barbados, so stepping back into the glasshouses required a moment of adjustment. I was grateful that the first few days were spent on seed propagation, which was a cosier way to settle back into the rhythm of the garden. 

Because the bulb repotting had gone so efficiently earlier in the season, we suddenly had extra time available for sowing. This meant a generous session working through seed from several genera, including Fritillaria, Paris, Cyclamen, Colchicum, Allium and Narcissus. Each has its own particular requirements and preferred techniques, and it was satisfying to move steadily through the trays while the weather outside grew colder. It felt like a gentle re-entry into the work of the alpine yard and a welcome reminder to enjoy the quieter, methodical tasks at this time of year. 

With November wrapped up and the first frosts and hints of winter settling in, I am ready to step into December and everything it has in store.