Wintry showers didn’t put off a team of green fingered volunteers, as they explored Sefton’s sand dunes last week.



The Gems in The Dunes, series of talks and walks, ran a training day all about Bryophytes, the smallest plants on the borough’s coast.

The session took place at Ainsdale Discovery Centre on Thursday November 1.

Green Sefton’s Land Management Unit Apprentices, also went along as an early part of their training. They are spending the next 2 years with Sefton Council, working towards an NVQ II in Horticulture, through Myerscough College.



In the morning attendees learnt the theory behind Bryophyte conservation and were given training on how to survey Bryophytes including Bryums and Petalworts. The day also included lessons on identification, life cycle and habitat requirements.

Afterwards the group donned their warm waterproofs and took a field trip to Birkdale to see the plants in their natural habitat.

For more information about future training call 01704 571 575 or email gems-in-the-dunes@arc-trust.org.

Cold, cold get real will you