The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) is a project running across the UK where members of the public head out twice a year to survey the plants growing within five small plots in their allocated 1km survey square.
These surveys contribute a huge amount of data which the experts are able to analyse and use to inform the efforts needed to protect our wild plants and landscapes. Collecting data at this scale would be impossible without the help of hundreds of ‘citizen scientists’ across the country. Our plants need you – here’s how you can help:
How to take part
NPMS volunteers, from beginners to experienced botanists, are asked to survey 5 small plots within their allocated 1km survey square twice a year, with the first surveys kicking off in April. They can do this at one of 3 different survey levels depending on their experience and confidence.
The beginner level surveys for example ask volunteers to record around just 10-15 common and easily identifiable species at each plot. Volunteers have full access to their own data and the whole NPMS data set, along with a raft of guidance and free training materials and opportunities.
Find all the information on the NPMS website: www.npms.org.uk
Visit the ‘Squares near me’ page to check your local area for available NPMS survey squares waiting to be adopted: Squares near me
